The Odyssey and Spider-Man make for record-breaking summer box office worldwide

The Guardian Culture Thursday 10 September 2026, 13:57 UTC By Catherine Shoard 1 min read

Key Points

The biggest May to September of all time was recorded in US cinemas, with the UK enjoying a 56% rise in audiences, outstripped by an 88% lift in the Middle East and AfricaAs well as celebrating their wedding, the actors Tom Holland and Zendaya have something else to toast: their two summer blockbusters – The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day – have officially made box office history. The films were credited as the driving force behind the US’s biggest summer season of all time, taking...

The biggest May to September of all time was recorded in US cinemas, with the UK enjoying a 56% rise in audiences, outstripped by an 88% lift in the Middle East and Africa

As well as celebrating their wedding, the actors Tom Holland and Zendaya have something else to toast: their two summer blockbusters – The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day – have officially made box office history.

The films were credited as the driving force behind the US’s biggest summer season of all time, taking $4.761bn (£3.51bn) from 1 May-7 September, beating 2013’s $4.756bn.

Spider-Man (PERSON) US (LOCATION) UK (LOCATION) the Middle East (LOCATION) AfricaAs (PERSON) Tom Holland (PERSON) Zendaya (LOCATION)

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