“Spider-Man: No Way Home” has done what few thought was possible during the pandemic era — top $1 billion at the global box office.

A co-production agreement between SonyAnd DisneyThe film has become the first movie to break this record during the pandemic. According to Comscore data, 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was the last movie to surpass $1 billion.

The worldwide box office reached $1.05Billion for Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest film over Christmas. It beat “The Battle of Lake Changjin”, a Chinese movie released in November and earning $904.9M.

“‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’s’ sprint to $1 billion within the context of this still pandemically-challenged marketplace is nothing short of astonishing,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. This is an example of the power and reach that great films can have to attract movie fans from around the globe, allowing them to experience the unique communal experience that only a theater can deliver.

People thronged to cinemas last weekend in order to watch “No Way Home” before any spoilers might be released online. They are now returning to the theaters for repeated viewings. This is a regular occurrence in MCU movies.

Domestically “No Way Home” will gross around $81.5 million in its second weekend. This is 69% less than its debut. MCU movies typically drop between 50% to 70% in the second weekend.

“The partnership between these two Hollywood entities is clearly one of great benefit to both,” BoxOffice.com chief analyst Shawn Robbins said of Sony and Disney.

They reached a deal which would have allowed the Sony-owned Spider-Man into Marvel’s film universe. This agreement did not just mean that Marvel would participate in Spider-Man’s solo films. which were financed by SonyHowever, the character may appear in another Marvel film.

Tom Holland plays the new Peter Parker in Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, as well as three single features. Disney and Sony renegotiated this deal in 2019 to split production costs and box office receipts.

According to Comscore data, 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming had the second-highest worldwide box office haul with $880.4 millions. Next came “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, which was the film that made Spidey’s biggest-grossing movie. It also became the first global top-selling Spidey film, earning $1.132billion worldwide.

Robbins stated that the symbiotic relationship they have created could yield rewards over time, with other characters than Spider-Man, provided it flourishes creatively. The past years have demonstrated that it is in everyone’s best interests for this partnership to last, and maybe even inspire other tag teams throughout the industry.