Deadpool & Wolverine Becomes Biggest Domestic Opening Of The Year, Bringing in $205 Million
Marvel's latest hit, "Deadpool & Wolverine," took the box office by storm over the weekend, raking in $205 million in the U.S. and Canada. This impressive debut marks the biggest domestic opening of the year and sets a new record for an R-rated film.
The movie, starring Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, has also performed well internationally, bringing in $233 million from markets outside North America.
Deadpool & Wolverine beats record held by first Deadpool film
The film's record-breaking opening surpasses the previous R-rated record held by the first "Deadpool" film, which debuted with $134 million. This latest instalment has also outperformed Marvel's recent releases, such as "The Marvels," which had a much lower opening weekend.
This opening weekend performance positions "Deadpool & Wolverine" as the eighth-biggest domestic opening ever, nestled between "The Avengers" and "Black Panther." It's also a significant win for Disney, following the successful debut of Pixar's "Inside Out 2," which earned $154.2 million in June.
The success of these films is a much-needed boost for cinema chains like AMC Entertainment and Cineworld, which have faced a thin film slate due to last year's Hollywood strikes.
Reynolds says Deadpool & Wolverine is a standalone film
Ryan Reynolds, who portrays the wise-cracking Deadpool, expressed his gratitude to fans on Instagram, calling the film's success "kind of hard to process." The movie follows Deadpool as he attempts to escape his superhero past, only to get entangled with the MCU's Time Variance Authority. This leads him to drag a reluctant Wolverine into his timeline to help save the day.
Reynolds emphasised that "Deadpool & Wolverine" stands on its own, stating, "I love being able to do a movie that is in and of itself just a movie. Deadpool and Wolverine isn't a commercial for another movie. It's just not part of the DNA." This standalone approach has seemingly paid off, drawing fans and casual viewers alike to the theatres.
Critics react to film
Critics have had mixed reactions, but many agree that the film is a much-needed shot in the arm for Marvel. The Guardian described it as a film that "mocks the MCU back to life," while Variety praised the fan service provided by the dynamic duo of Deadpool and Wolverine. Despite some criticism of the special effects and action sequences, the film's nostalgic appeal has resonated with audiences.
The impressive box office numbers of "Deadpool & Wolverine" provide a hopeful outlook for the future of Marvel films, especially after a period of underwhelming performances. The success of this film, along with "Inside Out 2," suggests a potential resurgence for Disney's blockbuster machine.
In addition to the financial success, "Deadpool & Wolverine" is packed with Marvel cameos and continues to build the ever-expanding Marvel universe. With fans and critics buzzing, it seems that Deadpool and Wolverine's chaotic, humorous adventure has reinvigorated interest in Marvel's cinematic offerings.
