Spidey Swings Past Pirates

Shy, do-gooder Peter Parker has again done superhero's work: His webbed alter-ego has vaulted the third installment of the Spider-Man franchise past its rivals and predecessors to shatter the opening weekend box-office record, netting  $148 million--over $10 million more than Pirates 2, the previous record holder.

The film also snagged the single-day  ($59 million) and  worldwide records ($375 million).  Sony execs reveled in their hero's feats. "As many stories as Peter Parker has to tell, we'll do sequels," one vowed. The secret to success, they claimed, was making this third installment  date and family friendly without losing the action-loving fan base. (More Spider-Man stories.)