LOS ANGELES, July 26 (Reuters) – The Marvel duo of “Deadpool & Wolverine” grabbed $38.5 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices in the first screenings of the film on Thursday, distributor Walt Disney said. The Deadpool Wolverine record highlights the strong appeal of the franchise’s dynamic duo. Furthermore, the Deadpool Wolverine record underscores the growing success of superhero films.
The early returns, a record for an R-rated movie, suggest Disney will enjoy its second hit in a row in a turnaround for its movie division. #DeadpoolWolverineRecord
The opening-day tally ranks as the eighth-highest of all time, behind films such as “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
By Sunday, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is expected to claim the largest domestic box office opening of 2024. According to industry analysts, U.S. and Canadian sales should hit between $175 million and $185 million. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, provided these projections.
That would top “Inside Out 2,” Disney’s animated Pixar movie that debuted with $154.2 million in June.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” the first R-rated Marvel film by Disney, stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, known for explicit jokes and violence. Hugh Jackman plays Wolverine, a sharp-clawed mutant.
The movie opened internationally on Wednesday, bringing in $64.8 million outside the U.S. and Canada, Disney reported. #DeadpoolWolverineRecord
Disney is rebounding from lackluster performances in 2023 for movies such as “The Marvels” and “Haunted Mansion.”
