Sony Pictures' money-spinning Spider-Man is gathering an extra bit of mileage in Brazil thanks to a change in the film's classification during its first week on release in the South American nation. The film, which was released May 17 through Columbia-TriStar Film Distributors International (CTFDI) on an unprecedented 507 prints, earned a record-breaking US$3.1m (Reals 7.9m) in its opening weekend.

On May 24, Brazil Ministry of Justice, which is in charge of film rating, adjusted the film's classification from PG-12 to all-ages following an appeal from the public. Columbia-TriStar International senior vice president of international distribution Ralph Alexander told Screendaily, "Parents showed up with kids and were turned away. They saw it without kids and asked 'Why''"

As a result of the change, said Alexander, the film saw only a 13% drop in its second Saturday business compared to 20% drops seen in other international territories. "Thirteen per cent is almost not a drop considering the record setting business." The film's second weekend take, $2.45m, was just shy of the $2.5m earned by the previous opening record-holder, Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone.

Alexander said CTFDI will release a dubbed version of Spider-Man on between 80-100 additional screens in the upcoming winter vacation period July 1-30.