Marc Webb's 3D superhero tentpole The Amazing Spider-Man set off early July 4th fireworks 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 Tuesday in 2007.

In more good news for Sony, Spider-Man received an A- CinemaScore, and an A from moviegoers under the age of 18.

As one Sony executive put it, "we are off to an outstanding start here in North America with big fireworks still to come!"

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 favorite venue of fanboys. Roughly 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. Transformers 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.

Spider-Man's opening day gross included $7.5 million in Monday midnight earnings.

The tentpole, 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.