Box office: ‘Venom’ proves that superhero fatigue was always a myth

Sony’s Venom has earned $142 million domestic and $379m worldwide. The reviews were mixed-negative, but audiences seem to be enjoying its gonzo pleasures (it gets better as it goes along). So if the film plays accordingly (without getting whacked too hard by Halloween), we may be looking at a global cume — sans China, where it will open on Nov. 9) — of around $575m-$600m worldwide.

For a $100m-budgeted superhero movie meant to launch a franchise and a universe, that’s a big win. It also shows that, for better or worse, comic book superhero movies remain the dominant form of top-tier tentpole blockbuster.