Madame Web, Sony’s latest venture into the Spider-Man universe, experienced a lacklustre debut at the box office, marking a record low for the franchise.
The superhero film, featuring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, and Isabela Merced, garnered only US$17.6 million in the U.S. during its opening weekend and US$25.8 million over six days, falling short of even the underperforming Morbius, which had a three-day debut of US$39.1 million in 2022.
Competing against Paramount’s Bob Marley: One Love, Madame Web secured the second spot, with One Love raking in US$27.7 million over three days and US$51 million across six days. Internationally, Madame Web earned US$25.7 million, trailing behind One Love‘s US$29 million overseas earnings, according to Variety.
This performance landed Madame Web the dubious distinction of being the first Marvel-based movie since the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot not to debut at number one. The film introduces Johnson as a clairvoyant paramedic, a departure from the comic’s elderly, blind, and paralysed character, yet maintaining the shared supernatural abilities. Despite these changes, Madame Web couldn’t captivate audiences or critics, setting a bleak record with its box office opening.
Critically, Madame Web also struggled, securing a mere 12% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, even underperforming Morbius which scored 15%. With a production budget between US$80-100 million, and considering marketing costs, the film faces a steep uphill battle to break even, casting doubts on its profitability. Currently, its global box office earnings stand at an estimated US$51.1 million, underscoring the challenges it faces in recouping its investment.
Madame Web is out in cinemas now.