**Sony's 'Venom: The Last Dance' Kicks Off Strong In China With $9.3M Opening Day**

Sony's 'Venom: The Last Dance' has made a significant impact on its initial release in international markets, achieving an impressive $9.3 million on its first day in China. This marks the highest opening day for a superhero film in the region since 'Spider-Man: Far From Home,' suggesting a promising five-day launch within the $30 million range.

Compared to recent Hollywood films, 'Venom: The Last Dance' has outperformed, although direct comparisons are tricky as other releases typically launch over a standard weekend. In the current climate, any film surpassing the $20 million mark at debut in China is considered a considerable success for studios. Early audience feedback on Maoyan has been positive, with the movie scoring a 9, though critical reviews are still awaited which could influence its performance in the coming days.

The predecessor, 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage,' did not premiere in China, contrasting with the first 'Venom' film, which debuted to an extraordinary $107.7 million (historical rates) and concluded with $269.2 million in total earnings (historical conversion), alongside a high social score of 9.1. Current projections from Maoyan estimate 'Venom: The Last Dance' to achieve an $82.5 million total run in China.

Globally, 'Venom: The Last Dance' was anticipated to open around $150 million with $85 million expected from international markets. However, with China's five-day forecast indicating strong performance, the international potential now appears to be climbing towards $165 million. Directed by Kelly Marcel, who co-wrote the screenplay with Tom Hardy, the film will continue to roll out in 90% of its planned markets by Friday, with France and Japan set to join the release soon after.