Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman starrer Deadpool & Wolverine has surpassed the $200 million mark, setting a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for an R-rated film.
According to studio estimates, the movie, which is the 34th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), earned $205 million in domestic box office sales and $438.3 million worldwide in its debut weekend.
The original Deadpool set the previous record for an R-rated opening weekend with approximately $132 million in 2016, followed by Deadpool 2, which earned $125 million domestically in 2018. Even when adjusted for inflation, the opening of “Deadpool & Wolverine” significantly outperforms its predecessors.
Deadpool & Wolverine also ranks among the top opening weekends in history, placing 8th, just below 2012’s “The Avengers” ($207 million) and above 2018’s “Black Panther” ($202 million).
Of the top 10 biggest debuts, six belong to Marvel. With the addition of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the MCU’s total box office revenue has surpassed $30 billion, solidifying its status as the highest-grossing film franchise ever, according to Disney.
Wolverine and Deadpool is the #1 movie in the world. Thank you ALL! @VancityReynolds @ShawnLevyDirect @MarvStudios pic.twitter.com/FhdspNeWcR
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) July 28, 2024
Despite this success, the MCU has faced challenges finding its footing post-“Infinity Saga,” which concluded with 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” This film still holds the record for the largest opening weekend by nearly $100 million. Recent Marvel releases have received mixed responses from fans and critics.
Data from Box Office Pro indicates that the demand for “Deadpool & Wolverine” has led to an increase in theater screenings, currently holding 43% of the showtime market share in the U.S.
Additionally, Disney announced that “Inside Out 2” has become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, with a global box office total of $1.46 billion, surpassing the previous record set by 2019’s Frozen 2.
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