Variety is reporting that Spider-Man 3 is tearing it up in every market in which it has debuted so far.  The third Spider-Man film, which opens here on Friday, earned $29.2 million in its first day of release in 16 foreign markets, more than doubling the performance of the previous two Spider-Man films which only earned $26.2 million combined in the same 16 markets.

Spider-Man 3 set all-time opening day records in 10 of the 16 markets, including in Italy where it earned $4 million on Tuesday, far outdistancing the previous record holder The DaVinci Code, which earned $2.5 million on its first day.  The new Spidey movie also set opening day records in France, Belgium, Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong (where it eclipsed the record set by Kung Fu Hustle).

Sony has spent lavishly promoting the film ($3.3 million in Italy alone) and has flown the stars around the world to stage elaborate premiere events, and it appears that these efforts have not been in vain.  With a major promotional push here in the States (see 'Spider-Man 3 Promo Partners Kick in $100 Million'), Spider-Man 3 appears ready to set some major box office records over the coming weekend.