Why 'Spider Man' Trended in India: Brand New Day's Historic North American Box Office Record

Why 'spider man' spiked in Indian searches

Between 17 and 18 September 2026, Google Trends India observed a 200% surge in searches for "spider man," totaling approximately 2,000 queries. This spike was driven by the news that Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man: Brand New Day had officially become the highest-grossing film in North American box office history, ending a decade-long streak held by the Star Wars franchise.

Dethroning 'The Force Awakens'

According to Screen Daily, the film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton achieved this milestone on 15 September 2026, just 47 days after its release. It surpassed Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, which had held the record since May 2016.

While the initial record-breaking report on 16 September cited a figure of $936.8 million, the film continued to earn. Data from The Numbers retrieved on 12 October 2026 shows the domestic total had climbed to $956,866,000. This places it well ahead of The Force Awakens ($936.6 million) and Avengers: Endgame ($897.4 million).

A Record-Breaking Sprint

The film's ascent to the top was marked by unprecedented speed and volume. Screen Daily reports that the movie set a new mark for the highest domestic opening weekend at $360 million. It also became the fastest film to hit every $100 million milestone from $400 million (reached in 4 days) up to $900 million (reached in 36 days).

Other notable achievements include:

• Opening Day: A record $169.8 million on Friday.
• Opening Week: $552.9 million earned in seven days.
• Consistency: Held the number one spot for six consecutive weekends.

Context for Indian Viewers: Domestic vs. Global

It is important to distinguish that this record applies specifically to the North American (domestic) market, covering the US and Canada. It is not a worldwide grossing record. Furthermore, these figures are nominal and not adjusted for inflation; for instance, older films like Titanic may have sold more actual tickets despite lower dollar totals.

For those in India looking to watch the film, Sony Pictures has confirmed that the title is now available via digital platforms including Prime Video and Apple TV, as well as on physical media like 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.