Already lofty studio expectations for the North American release of Spider-Man 3 are flying even higher after the film scored record-setting openings in prominent international markets this week.

Spider-Man 3 had its world premiere in Tokyo on April 16 and officially opened across Japan. It also debuted this week in markets including France, Germany, Hong Kong and South Korea this week.

In Spider-man 3, Tobey Maguire will again star as the web-slinger.
(Columbia Pictures/Associated Press)

The Columbia Pictures title has since recorded the biggest opening-day ever for a film in the latter two countries, according to the Sony-owned studio. The comic book-inspired sequel has also surpassed the opening-day box-office hauls of its predecessors in 16 international markets.

Spider-Man 3, which reunites stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst with director Sam Raimi, is scheduled to hit North American and British theatres on Friday.

Summer of sequels at movie theatres

Raimi's third film adaptation of the web-slinger's adventures has long been pegged as one of this summer's most anticipated Hollywood blockbusters, along with upcoming sequels in the Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter franchises.

North American industry watchers are betting that Spider-Man 3 could break the opening weekend record set a year ago by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

However, major competition comes in just two weeks with the release of Shrek the Third, and again a week after that with the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Other sequels headed for the silver screen this summer include Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Bourne Ultimatum, Rush Hour 3, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Live Free and Die Hard, Ocean's Thirteen and Evan Almighty.

Film adaptations of Hairspray, The Simpsons, Transformers and Nancy Drew are also scheduled for release.

With files from the Associated Press