Spider-Man Smashes Mideast Box Office Record — SkimNews
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day grossed $18.4 million across the Middle East from July 30 to August 2, setting a new regional record for opening weekend performance
- Empire Entertainment reported that the UAE contributed $7.4 million and Saudi Arabia $5.4 million, making them the film’s top two markets in the region
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day outperformed previous franchise entries, surpassing No Way Home's $15 million MENA debut in 2021 despite expanded theater access in Saudi Arabia since then
- Empire Entertainment noted strong audience turnout in Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, reinforcing the Middle East’s growing significance for global blockbusters
- Mario Haddad Jr., president of Empire Entertainment, stated the result signals rising regional preference for theatrical viewing and sets a precedent for future distribution strategies
- Empire Entertainment celebrated the release as its tenth Spider-Man film distributed in the Middle East, calling it a milestone for the franchise and regional cinema
Why it matters: The $18.4 million debut—achieved amid regional instability—shows the Middle East's box office is not only resilient but expanding, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE now critical profit centers for Hollywood studios betting on international theatrical returns.
Ask SkimNews
