‘Spider-Man 3’ surpasses forecast

The final weekend tally for “Spider-Man 3” propelled the Sony Pictures blockbuster even higher than initially projected, with the latest offering from the franchise clearing the $150 million mark.

The new sequel snared $151.1 million in its web, about $3 million higher than previous estimates.

Sony said it made another $231 million in the 107 territories where it played across the world during the weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $382 million worldwide.

“Spider-Man 3” shattered the previous U.S. record for a three-day opening, which was held by last year’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” the second installment in that series. That film made $135.6 million.

The third “Pirates” film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” will have a chance to one up “Spider-Man 3” later this month when it opens Memorial Day weekend.

In between, “Shrek The Third” will hit screens.

“Spider-Man 3” was also the most expensive so far in the franchise. Sony spent $258 million on the Marvel Comics-based sequel, compared to $200 million for 2004’s “Spider-Man 2” and $139 million for “Spider-Man,” released in 2002.