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Shattering sales records for a home entertainment release during its first weekend, the Spider-Man(TM) phenomenon continues to reach new heights by selling an estimated 7 million DVDs and videocassettes on its first day (Friday) based on day-one reporting. With a projected 11 million DVDs and videocassettes to be sold in North America during its first weekend, the title is estimated to generate more than $190 million in retail revenue in North America during its first three days in the marketplace, it was announced today by John Calley, Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Having shipped an unequalled 26 million combined units in North America and with first day record-breaking sales, Spider-Man is on track to become the biggest selling DVD title in history. The title will also set an industry record for the most revenue ever generated by a studio in a single weekend on a single title.

Proving itself to be to be the most-wanted film of the holiday season, Spider-Man will debut as the #1 selling DVD and VHS and the title is on track to become the top-selling home entertainment release ever.

"With more than a billion dollars in worldwide revenues to date on this single title, the success of Spider-Man is simply staggering," said Calley. "It took a true superhero to accomplish this phenomenal fete and the dividend for Sony Pictures Entertainment will be the most successful year in the studio's history."

"We are thrilled by the record-breaking performance of Spider-Man on DVD and video," noted Benjamin Feingold, president of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. "There is no question that Spider-Man's record-breaking home entertainment release greatly benefited from its extraordinary theatrical performance. But credit for Spider-Man's success in the home entertainment sector must also be given to CTHE's marketing, sales and operations team who rose to the challenge by creating an impressive, strong and effective distribution strategy that insured maximum awareness and timely availability of the product for our retailers and consumers."

The year's hottest film is available as a 2-disc set in both wide and full screen Special Editions on DVD. A home entertainment extravaganza, Spider-Man, features an exclusive web of innovative interactive elements loaded with special never-before-revealed Spider-Man factoids and a first look at comic book-to-film comparisons. Also released day and date was a specially packaged Limited Edition Collector's DVD Gift Set, loaded with collectible memorabilia extra features for the ultimate home viewing experience.

Spider-Man's theatrical performance and now home entertainment release have broken virtually every major milestone:

* Garnered more than $800 million worldwide
* Biggest opening weekend in Hollywood history
* Biggest single day box-office
* Fastest film in history to ever reach the $100 million mark (3 days), the $200 million mark (9 days), the $300 million mark (22 days) and the $350 million mark (31 days).

"Spider-Man" Synopsis:

From Columbia Pictures Presents, A Marvel Enterprises/Laura Ziskin Production, "Spider-Man" is a live-action feature of one of the world's most popular comic book superheroes. Directed by Sam Raimi, "Spider-Man" centers on student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) who, after being bitten by a genetically altered spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. He vows to use his abilities to fight crime, coming to understand the words of his beloved Uncle Ben: "With great power comes great responsibility."

The journey of "Spider-Man," from comic book to celluloid began in 1962 when the character first appeared in the final issue of the failing "Amazing Fantasy" comic book. It was such a hit that "Amazing Fantasy" was renamed "Amazing Spider-Man" and reappeared in 1963. Since then, the web of 'not for the faint of heart' readers, fans and collectors worldwide has grown into making "Spider-Man" one of the most popular superheroes among the young, old, women and men. And now, 40 years later, with great power and great responsibility, the tale of "Spider-Man" jumps from the screen into the home on DVD and VHS for the whole family to enjoy.

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SOURCE: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment