Disney/Marvel superhero comedy “Deadpool & Wolverine” had a remarkable third weekend, generating an estimated $54.2 million in North American theaters. Meanwhile, Sony’s dramatic romance “It Ends With Us” was poised for one of the best openings in its genre, analysts reported on Sunday.
“Deadpool,” featuring the popular duo of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has crossed the $1 billion mark in global ticket sales, with $494.3 million in North America and $535 million internationally, according to Exhibitor Relations.
Warner Bros.’ 2019 thriller “Joker” was the only other R-rated film to achieve the $1 billion milestone, as reported by Hollywood Reporter.
On the other hand, “It Ends With Us” was on track for a near-record opening, raking in $50 million during the Friday-to-Sunday period in what was an exceptional weekend for the power couple of Reynolds and Blake Lively—she is both the producer and lead actress in the romantic film.
Notably, it was the first time in August, a usually slow month, that two films grossed $50 million in the same weekend, as per Variety.
Analyst David A. Gross suggested that the final numbers would position “It Ends With Us”—adapted from the 2016 novel by best-selling author Colleen Hoover—among the top romance openings of all time. “Fifty Shades of Grey” continues to dominate this list with an $85.2 million opening.
Universal’s weather thriller “Twisters” secured the third spot for the weekend with $15 million, slipping down one place from the previous weekend. The film stars Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones as daring tornado chasers.
Lionsgate’s new release “Borderlands” came in fourth at $8.8 million, which Gross described as a soft opening for a video-game-based action film, despite a cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black. The film, criticized by reviewers, had an estimated production cost of $100 million.
In fifth place, moving down one spot in its sixth weekend, was Universal’s family-friendly animation “Despicable Me 4,” earning $8 million.
The rest of the top 10 included:
“Trap” ($6.7 million)
“Inside Out 2” ($5 million)
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” ($3.1 million)
“Cuckoo” ($3 million)
“Longlegs” ($2 million)
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