MUMBAI: Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone has beaten the $27.9 million debut of the first version of Transformers that released in 2007. The Marc Webbs-directed film had set off early 4 July at the domestic box office.

The $220 million Sony reboot -- looking to relaunch the franchise by going back to the beginning with a new cast -- nabbed the top opening for a Tuesday with roughly $35 million, eclipsing the $27.9 million debut of Transformers on the same day in 2007.

"We are off to an outstanding start here in North America with big fireworks still to come!," a Sony executive said.

Spider-Man, starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, is being helped at the box office by the upcharge for a 3D ticket and is doing big business in Imax theaters, the favourite venue of young fans. Roughly around 300 Imax theaters contributed $4 million to the $35 million booty.

Estimates vary in terms of how much Spider-Man will earn in its six-day debut. Bullish observers believe it could earn $120 million to $140 million.

On the other hand, Transformers had grossed $155.4 million in its six-day debut after opening on Tuesday although it grossed $8.8 million in advance Monday night shows and a total of $13.5 million including midnight runs.

The film, also starring Martin Sheen, Denis Leary and Sally Fields, is off to a stellar start overseas, where it debuted to $50 million last weekend in only 11 territories.