“Spider-Man 3″ sold a record $373 million worth of tickets at the worldwide box office in its first six days of release, according to a preliminary estimate issued on Sunday by the film’s distributor.

Additionally, the film also set a new opening weekend record in North America, with ticket sales estimated in the high $140 million range, according to executives at rival studios. The old record of $135.6 million was set last July by “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”

“Spider-Man 3″ distributor Columbia Picture was still working on North American data, and did not have an official estimate. The film began its international campaign on May 1, and opened in North America on Friday.

The previous record for a worldwide opening was set in 2005, when “Stars Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” opened to $254 million, Columbia said.

The film, which the Sony Corp.-owned studio said cost $258 million to produce, stars Tobey Maguire as the titular crimefighter and Kirsten Dunst as his girlfriend, Mary Jane. Sam Raimi directs.