Deadpool & Wolverine Smashes $1 Billion Global Box Office Record

Disney and Marvel’s highly anticipated superhero comedy, Deadpool & Wolverine, continues its unstoppable run at the global box office, solidifying its place as a cinematic powerhouse. In its third weekend, the film, starring fan favorites Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, raked in an impressive $54.2 million from North American theaters alone, further cementing its dominance in the box office landscape.

The movie’s success is not just limited to North America. Deadpool & Wolverine has now surpassed the coveted $1 billion mark in global ticket sales, with a remarkable $494.3 million earned domestically and an additional $535 million collected from international markets. This milestone achievement places the film in an elite category, joining the ranks of Warner Bros.’ 2019 hit Joker as one of the few R-rated movies to cross the billion-dollar threshold—a feat that underscores the film’s widespread appeal and massive fan following.

A Historic Weekend at the Box Office

While Deadpool & Wolverine continues to break records, another film has also made waves at the box office. Sony’s dramatic romance, It Ends With Us, starring and produced by Blake Lively, had an extraordinary opening weekend. The film garnered $50 million over the Friday-through-Sunday period, making it one of the best openings ever for a romance drama. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time in August—a month traditionally slow for movie releases—that two films have grossed $50 million each in the same weekend.

Based on the 2016 best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover, It Ends With Us has quickly captured the hearts of audiences, setting it on a near-historic trajectory. Analyst David A. Gross noted that the film’s performance places it among the top all-time romance openings, though Fifty Shades of Grey still holds the record with an $85.2 million debut.

Other Top Performers at the Box Office

Not far behind, Universal’s weather thriller Twisters secured the third spot for the weekend, bringing in $15 million. The film, which features Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones as daring tornado chasers, has been a steady performer since its release, although it dropped one spot from the previous weekend.

Lionsgate’s new release, Borderlands, however, struggled to make a strong impact. The video game-based action film, despite boasting a star-studded cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black, only managed to secure $8.8 million, placing it fourth. Analyst David A. Gross described the film’s performance as “a weak opening,” especially given its hefty production budget of $100 million. The film’s lukewarm reception could pose challenges for its long-term box office performance.

Universal’s Despicable Me 4 rounded out the top five with an $8 million haul in its sixth weekend. The family-friendly animation has been a consistent performer, continuing to draw in audiences even weeks after its release.

Rounding Out the Top 10

The weekend also saw several other films making their mark on the box office charts. Trap pulled in $6.7 million, followed by Inside Out 2 with $5 million. Harold and the Purple Crayon managed to earn $3.1 million, while Cuckoo brought in $3 million. Longlegs closed out the top 10 with $2 million, each contributing to a diverse and competitive weekend at the box office.

As the box office numbers continue to roll in, the success of Deadpool & Wolverine and It Ends With Us highlights the diverse range of genres that can capture audiences’ imaginations, making this August one for the record books.