‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Sets Record for R-Rated Films After $97 Million Second Weekend

NEW YORK — The box office success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” has reached new heights, with the Marvel Studios blockbuster achieving a record-breaking feat for R-rated films. After just ten days in theaters, the film has become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, surpassing the previous record held by “The Passion of the Christ” for two decades.

In its second weekend, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, continued its impressive run by pulling in $97 million, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. This substantial weekend haul has elevated the film’s domestic total to $395.6 million, eclipsing the long-standing record set by Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” which earned $370 million at the domestic box office.

Globally, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has also made a significant impact, accumulating $824.1 million in ticket sales. This figure surpasses the worldwide gross of both previous “Deadpool” installments, with the 2016 original collecting $782.6 million and the 2018 sequel bringing in $734.5 million. The film’s remarkable performance underscores its strong appeal to audiences around the world and solidifies its place as a major player in the box office landscape.

Despite “Deadpool & Wolverine” dominating the charts, other films faced mixed results over the weekend. M. Night Shyamalan’s latest thriller, “Trap,” had a modest debut with $15.6 million from 3,181 theaters. The film, which stars Josh Hartnett as a serial killer, did not receive advance screenings for critics, leading to a lukewarm reception with a 48% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience response was similarly subdued, with a C+ CinemaScore. With a production budget of approximately $35 million, the film’s performance indicates it may struggle to break even.

Another new release, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” based on the beloved children’s book, also had a lackluster debut. The Sony Pictures adaptation, which stars Zachary Levi, opened with $6 million. Though it received a more favorable A- CinemaScore from audiences, critics were less impressed, giving it a 28% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s production budget was around $40 million, making its current performance a concern for the studio.

On a more positive note, Universal Pictures’ disaster film “Twisters” continued to perform well in its third weekend. The sequel to the 1996 hit “Twister” secured second place with $22.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $195.6 million. While its international earnings are lower, the film’s strong showing in North American theaters highlights its ongoing appeal.

July closed on a high note for Hollywood, marking its best month in a year and its first $1 billion month since July 2023. Despite comparisons to last year’s blockbuster July releases like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” Disney’s releases, including “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” were pivotal in driving this month’s success.

However, reminders of tougher times persist, with AMC Theatres, the largest North American chain, reporting a $32.8 million loss for the second quarter of 2024. This reflects the challenging conditions faced by the cinema industry earlier in the year, underscoring the significance of recent successes.

The weekend box office figures, estimated for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, highlight the shifting dynamics in film popularity and financial performance. The final domestic figures are expected to be released on Monday.

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