Disney is on a winning streak. While earlier this year Disney had several box office duds, others, such as Inside Out 2, have done well. Now, in its initial weekend release the latest installment of the Marvel franchise continues to attract movie-goers.
Indeed, it was a record-breaking weekend for Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine.
The film — which has Ryan Reynolds’ chatty Deadpool teaming up with Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine —shattered records around the world making an estimated $438.3 million globally, including $205 million domestically.
That makes Deadpool & Wolverine the highest-grossing global opening for an R-rated film in box office history, surpassing Deadpool in 2016.
Domestically, it was the 8th highest-grossing opening of all time, the highest July opening weekend of all-time (surpassing 2019’s The Lion King), the biggest opening since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the second largest opening for a third installment behind only 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
The Walt Disney Company has now released the No.1 title for May (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), June (Inside Out 2), and July (Deadpool & Wolverine),
As one of the most anticipated films of the year, Deadpool & Wolverine lived up to the hype garnering acclaim from critics and audiences. The action-packed Super Hero buddy film received an “A” Cinema Score, is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and holds a stellar audience score of 97%.
Director Shawn Levy said that the film gives fans want what they want in terms of action and laughs, but it will also include a warmth that ties everything together.
“I know people are expecting the funny; they’re going to get it. They’re expecting the action; they’re going to get it,” Levy — who is also a writer and producer on the film — said. “But the movie has a warmth as a result of the story we tell between these two guys where this unlikely friendship is built. That’s the piece I think people aren’t expecting.”
Kevin Feige — Producer and President, Marvel Studios — has crafted a universe of films that collectively have made more than $30 billion at the worldwide box office. The secret? Making great movies.
“Nothing strengthens the Marvel Cinematic Universe or perhaps any cinematic universe like a great movie,” he said. “A great movie is the answer to many cinematic universe issues, and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and our director, Shawn Levy, have made a great movie.”
However, the characters Deadpool and Wolverine are not just showing up in theaters this weekend.
Starting Friday, the duo can be found at Avengers Camp in Disney California Adventure Park for a limited time. Deadpool will also be at Disneyland Paris, showcasing Disney’s ability to bring popular stories and characters to life, and in real-time, like (according to Disney’s press release) no other company can.
One wonders, will the pair soon embark on a Disney Cruise Line adventure as well. Stay tuned,
