The Amazing Spider-Man

AP

The new Spider-Man has launched with the same midnight magic as the old one.

"The Amazing Spider-Man" pulled in USD 7.5 million from its debut screenings Tuesday just after midnight. According to distributor Sony Pictures, that matches the amount that "Spider-Man 3" took in from its first midnight screenings in 2007 on the way to what was then a record USD 151.1 million opening weekend, reports The Associated Press.

Midnight screenings generally have become bigger business since then, hitting a peak as fans shelled out USD 43.5 million for midnight shows of the "Harry Potter" finale last summer.

While "The Amazing Spider-Man" is well back in the pack by comparison, its midnight debut hints at strong box office through the Fourth of July weekend, with industry expectations as high as USD 120 million in its first six days.