Spider-Man 3, due to hit screens this Friday, is quite simply the biggest film of all time. At an estimated official budget of a shade under $300 million, there have been conflicting reports pegging the budget at anything from $350 to $500 million.

Even Sony's we're-not-telling, less than $300 million estimate is incredible. To put things in perspective, the number is like 1997 blockbuster Titanic ($200 million) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day ($100 million) put together.

Images: Spidey's back

Of course, this is all without taking inflation into consideration. If we convert all-time blockbusters into current American theatrical rates, Russia's 1968 classic War And Peace and Elizabeth Taylor's 1963 Cleopatra rub shoulders with the new Spidey.

Then again, Sony is spending at least $150 million outside of the hush-hush 'budget' figure just to market the film worldwide. The first two Spidey films grossed a combined $1.7 billion, globally.

What can the webslinger do this time, with the biggest movie ever? Let's wait and watch.

Spidey On Rediff: The special section