The latest Spiderman release, No Way Home, has smashed its opening weekend, becoming the third largest global box office, raking in some US$600mln.
Spiderman trails only fellow Marvel features Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity war, which made US$1.2bn and US$640.5mln respectively during opening weekends.
News of the success will be music to the ears of Cineworld, one of the largest cinema groups in the world, having experienced a turbulent 18 months.
Entertainment businesses have in general had to deal more than most with the uncertainty caused by COVID, with screens worldwide shut for lengthy periods.
Cineworld topped the list for the most shorted stock in the UK in October, as investors became confident the company would struggle to bounce back.
The share price has also suffered, trading at 217p two years ago, and currently trading at 31p at time of publication.
More recently, Cineworld was ordered to pay a huge £725mln to Canadian rival Cineplex (TSX:CGX) in damages, an amount that threatens to push the company over the edge.
READ: No time to die Cineworld, as company tops list for most shorted stocks in the UK
Despite the apparent cloud that looms over Cineworld, it has been thankful for the lifting of restrictions, coupled with an excellent string of film releases.
No Time To Die and Sci-fi movie Dune made US$300mln and US$233mln when they were released and provided a much-needed uplift at the time.
Speaking in October, chief executive of Cineworld Mooky Greidinger said, "While our results still carry the effect of COVID and related lack of product, we are encouraged by the upcoming line-up of big releases, especially for the upcoming four months.
"This will include four new Marvel movies as well as Top Gun Maverick, the new Bond, Matrix, Dune and many more.”