New Disney/Marvel comedy Deadpool & Wolverine scored a “spectacular” opening in North American theaters this weekend, its huge take of $205 million placing it not just near the top of superhero films but marking the eighth-biggest opening ever, analysts said Sunday.
“The numbers are fantastic,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. “These characters’ popularity is growing, not slowing.”
Gross said the film is enjoying positive reviews and “excellent” audience scores. The popularity of Ryan Reynolds (who plays Deadpool and shares a writing credit), and his real-life pal Hugh Jackman (Wolverine)– didn’t hurt, either.
Its opening was also the best ever for an R-rated film (not inflation-adjusted), far surpassing the previous record holder, the first Deadpool ($133.7 million), according to the Hollywood Reporter.
That left last weekend’s top film, Universal’s weather thriller Twisters, twisting in the dust, with what normally would be a respectable take of $35.3 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
The stand-alone follow-up to 1996’s popular Twister has Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones playing risk-taking storm chasers caught in the middle of fast-converging tornadoes.
In third for the Friday-through-Sunday period was Universal’s animated comedy Despicable Me 4, earning $14.2 million in its fourth weekend out. It has total ticket sales so far of $291.0 million in North America.
Slipping one spot to fourth place was Disney and Pixar’s coming-of-age animation Inside Out 2, at $8.3 million.
Also down one spot was horror mystery Longlegs at $6.8 million. Nicolas Cage stars in the film, the all-time top-grosser from indie studio Neon. AFP
