Marvel’s latest film, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” has set a new record for opening-day earnings, bringing in $38.5 million from U.S. and Canadian box offices. According to distributor Walt Disney, this impressive debut marks the highest-ever opening for an R-rated movie. The film’s strong performance also ranks it as the eighth-highest opening of all time, placing it among the likes of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Industry analysts expect “Deadpool & Wolverine” to become the top domestic box office hit of 2024, with projections suggesting it could earn between $175 million and $185 million by Sunday. This would surpass the $154.2 million earned by Disney’s animated film “Inside Out 2” in June.
The film, featuring Ryan Reynolds as the wise-cracking Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as the fierce Wolverine, is the first R-rated Marvel movie released under Disney’s banner. The movie has already made a significant impact internationally, grossing $64.8 million outside of the U.S. and Canada since its release on Wednesday.
Disney, which had a challenging 2023 with films like “The Marvels” and “Haunted Mansion,” appears to be on the rebound with this latest success. The record-setting performance of “Deadpool & Wolverine” signals a strong start for Disney’s film division in 2024.
