The new Marvel movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” earned a record amount of money at the box office over the weekend, taking in nearly $450 million U.S. in worldwide ticket sales.
The film earned $205 million U.S. at the box office in America and Canada, making it the highest domestic debut ever for an R-rated movie.
Overseas, the movie earned $233.3 million U.S., bringing its global tally to $438.3 million U.S. for the weekend.
The film’s domestic performance crushed the expectations of box office analysts who had been expecting “Deadpool & Wolverine” to take in $180 million U.S. from Friday to Sunday.
The strong box office performance is good news for the Walt Disney Co. (DIS), which produced the movie.
Disney has struggled since the pandemic ended with declining movie theatre attendance and subpar box office performances of its films.
However, Disney has now scored two major hits this summer with “Deadpool & Wolverine” and the animated Pixar movie “Inside Out 2,” which has earned $1.50 billion U.S. at the global box office and become the highest grossing animated movie ever.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the 34th film to be released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first to have an R-rating.
Analysts said the movie benefitted from intense fan enthusiasm for the two lead characters.
“Deadpool and Wolverine” also opened alongside San Diego Comic Con, which is a major annual event in the world of both comic books and movies.
Disney’s stock is flat on the year (down 0.86%) and trading at $89.93 U.S. per share.
