"10 Films Better Than This?" Sony Boss Makes Bold Oscars Claim for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'
Peter Parker has officially graduated from saving New York to terrorizing Hollywood's record books. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has climbed past $2.5 billion worldwide, becoming 2026's box-office champion and the highest-grossing film in North American history.
Tom Holland's web-slinger has conquered ticket counters, but Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman has spotted another trophy dangling from the ceiling: the Oscar for Best Picture.
Rothman believes the movie belongs among the year's finest, and Sony intends to make voters pay attention.
Sony boss Tom Rothman wants Spider-Man in the Best Picture race
Apparently, saving New York City is no longer enough. Spider-Man now has an appointment with Oscar. Speaking with Deadline, Rothman challenged the assumption that a superhero blockbuster belongs outside the Academy's top category.
“Are you telling me that there are 10 films this year that are better than this film?” he asked. The executive argued that the Academy exists to recognize outstanding filmmaking, regardless of whether its protagonists wear three-piece suits or spider-themed pajamas.
“The Academy is meant to recognize greatness,” he declared, adding, “I think it’s greatness.”
Sony is consequently preparing a substantial Best Picture campaign for the 99th Academy Awards. Rothman believes studios must actively champion quality commercial films rather than expect Oscar voters to discover their virtues through telepathy.
And Peter Parker is hardly the only Sony-backed hero turning theatrical receipts into headline material.
Sony celebrates another worldwide success with Ramayana: Rise of a Legend
Across the globe, another Sony epic has been collecting box-office trophies without needing a single web cartridge. Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, opened to $55.7 million worldwide. That placed the mythological adventure second globally during its opening weekend, behind Godzilla Minus Zero, which earned $63 million.
The Prime Focus Studios production subsequently crossed $100 million globally, reaching $101.9 million.India contributed $67.1 million, while North America delivered $17.7 million and other Sony-handled overseas markets added $16.9 million. The film also sold over 11 million tickets during its opening period and established a Diwali opening record for an Indian production.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Ramayana became the first Indian film to lead the weekend box office, defeating Godzilla Minus Zero locally. Sony handles distribution outside India, giving the studio another international success story alongside its record-breaking Spider-Man adventure.
But will Spider-Man swing into the Best Picture lineup, and what do you make of Sony's spectacular year? Let us know in the comments.
Edited By: Itti Mahajan
