Film blockbuster Spider-Man has broken the record for DVD sales, taking more money in its first three days on sale than the movie took in box office receipts when it was released in cinemas.

More than 11 million DVD and VHS videos were sold in the United States and Canada between Friday and Sunday, earning $190m (£122m).

Money-spinners: Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire

In comparison, the film took $114m (£73m) at the big screen box office in its opening weekend.

The home video release was boosted by Halloween promotions and by discounting by some retailers.

The film sold seven million copies in the first day alone, breaking the previous record held by Monsters Inc, which sold five million.

Spider-Man is expected to become the biggest-selling DVD of all time.

Unusually, film company Sony released the film on DVD and video on a Friday in the US, rather than the traditional Tuesday.

Worldwide hit

Sony said they decided on a Friday release so it would have two weekends on sale with no major competition from other releases.

The film was a worldwide hit, taking in more than $800m (£514m) at box offices in total.

A sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man, is scheduled for release in 2004 and will again star Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Director Sam Raimi will also return.

In the US, 43% of homes now have a DVD player and this figure is expected to rise to 50% by the end of the year.

About 20% of homes in the UK now have a DVD player - expected to rise to 25% by the end of 2002.

Spider-Man is released on DVD and video in the UK on 25 November.