In becoming only the ninth film to be an instant blockbuster, "Iron Man" bolsters the reputation of Marvel's comic-book characters as some of Hollywood's most bankable stars.

The movie raked in $100.8 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates from Nielsen EDI. That’s the ninth-highest debut of all time and second-largest for a movie that wasn't a sequel.

The record-holder: another Marvel star, "Spider-Man," whose 2002 debut was $114.8 million.

"If you're going to come in second to anyone, it might as well be Iron Man's cousin," says David Maisel, chairman of Marvel Studios.

Source: Freep