Deadpool & Wolverine has smashed box office records for an R-rated movie on a US opening weekend
Marvel’s raunchy and violent Deadpool & Wolverine lit up box offices over the weekend taking in $US205 million ($A313 million) in US and Canadian ticket sales, the biggest domestic opening of the year, distributor Walt Disney said.
Internationally, the movie has brought in $US233.3 million ($A355.8 million) for a global total of $US438 million.
In Australia, Deadpool & Wolverine grossed $17.6 million at the local box office, which was the 10th highest opening weekend of all time, and the highest for a MA15+ title.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It has broken records around the world, including in the US where it was the highest opening ever for a R-rated movie.
After a few days in release, the film is already the sixth highest earner of 2024, but is sure to climb higher by the end of its run in cinemas.
Deadpool & Wolverine, the first R-rated Marvel film by Disney, stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, a character known for sexually explicit jokes, swearing and violence. Australian Hugh Jackman plays Wolverine, a sharp-clawed mutant.
It is the second straight hit for Disney, which is rebounding from lacklustre performances in 2023 for movies such as The Marvels and Haunted Mansion.
Inside Out 2 is the highest grossing film of the year so far, sitting on $US1.5 billion in ticket sales, and it is still playing in theatres.
Locally, Inside Out 2 is now the most commercially successful animated feature with a box office of $52.35 million, surpassing The Super Mario Bros Movie.
The pair of films have helped cinema chains that are grappling with a thin film slate in 2024. Several major titles were delayed because of strikes last year by Hollywood actors and writers.
As it stands, the five movies at the top of the Australian box office charts for 2024 are Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, Dune Part Two, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Deadpool & Wolverine. They are all sequels.
The top earning non-franchise film is The Fall Guy, in position seven, although it is a loose remake of a 1980s TV series. The highest ranking original film is John Krasinski’s family movie IF, sitting in spot 15.
