In a much-needed boost for the movie industry, the latest Marvel installment, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” has demonstrated a strong showing at the U.S. box office. It set a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend of an R-rated movie in the country.
According to data from Comscore, the film raked in a whopping $205 million domestically during its debut weekend. The production budget of the film was $200 million, as per Variety.
David Gross, author of the film industry-focused FranchiseRe newsletter, expressed awe at the film’s impressive performance. He projected that “Deadpool & Wolverine” could potentially be the fourth most successful superhero movie premiere on record, once the final weekend figures are released. He also pointed out the favorable reviews from both audiences and critics.
Gross noted that the appeal of these characters is on the rise. He praised the film’s performance as “fantastic.”
The storyline of the movie centers around Deadpool, who enlists Wolverine’s assistance to save his friends and his world.
The previous “Deadpool” film, which starred Ryan Reynolds as the famously brash hero, hit theaters in 2018. “Deadpool & Wolverine” pairs the titular character with fellow Marvel legend Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman. This marks the first time these beloved mutants have been featured together in a film since Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment division in 2019.
Katie Walsh, a film critic for the Tribune News Service, described the film as a crossover event and a tribute to the previous era of Marvel films under 20th Century Fox.
In addition to its record-breaking debut, “Deadpool & Wolverine” also set new benchmarks for the highest-grossing opening weekend in July and for the entirety of 2024, as per Comscore.
Other films trailing behind “Deadpool & Wolverine” in this weekend’s domestic box office include the action film “Twisters,” which grossed $35.3 million, and the animated feature “Despicable Me 4,” bringing in $14.2 million, according to Comscore’s estimates.
The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” comes amidst concerns from industry experts about a potential superhero movie overload, following the lackluster box office performances of films like “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “The Marvels.”
In his newsletter, Gross noted a decline in the number of superhero films being released, with only five slated for this year. This contrasts with the seven superhero movies released annually in 2018 and 2019.
Gross expressed hope for the future of the genre, stating that the successful launch of fresh narratives from Marvel and DC Comics could revitalize interest in the superhero series. “That’s what it will take to bring the genre all the way back,” he wrote.
Report compiled with contributions from Times staff writer Samantha Masunaga.
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My name is Alex Carter, a journalist with a deep passion for independent cinema, alternative music, and contemporary art. A University of California, Berkeley journalism graduate, I’ve honed my expertise through film reviews, artist profiles, and features on emerging cultural trends. My goal is to uncover unique stories, shine a light on underrepresented talents, and explore the impact of art on our society. Follow me on SuperBoxOffice.com for insightful analysis and captivating discoveries from the entertainment world.