The highly anticipated film “Deadpool & Wolverine” has made a significant impact at the box office, opening in second place over the weekend. While the Chinese comedy “Successor” dominated the charts, “Deadpool & Wolverine” still managed to deliver one of the strongest openings for a Hollywood film in the region this year.
“Successor,” a comedy-drama that explores themes of poverty and resilience, grossed an impressive RMB364 million (approximately $51.3 million) in its second weekend, bringing its total earnings to over $317 million. The film’s success highlights the growing popularity of domestic productions in China.
In contrast, “Deadpool & Wolverine” earned $23.9 million over the weekend, with previews pushing its total to $24.5 million. Notably, $5 million of this weekend’s earnings came from Imax screenings, showcasing the film’s appeal in premium formats.
This opening weekend performance marks the second highest for any Hollywood film this year, surpassed only by “Godzilla x Kong,” which opened with $44.6 million. Other notable Hollywood releases this year include “Inside Out 2” with $10.2 million, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” at $11.4 million, and “Kung Fu Panda 4” with $14.7 million.
In third place, the Chinese film “The Traveller” debuted with $12.8 million, while “A Place Called Silence” continued to perform well in its fourth weekend, earning $5.6 million and bringing its total to $174 million. CMC Pictures’ “Decoded” took fifth place with $5.4 million from previews alone, officially opening on August 3.
The total theatrical revenue for the weekend reached $113 million, pushing the cumulative box office for the year past the $4 billion mark. However, this figure is still nearly 15% lower than the total at the same point last year, according to Artisan Gateway.
Chinese state media has criticized overseas reports suggesting that the summer box office season in China is weak, accusing them of political bias. The Global Times defended the performance of the film market, emphasizing its resilience.
In the United States, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has shattered expectations, raking in $96 million in domestic sales on its opening night. Analysts predict that the film could exceed $200 million domestically for the weekend, a record-breaking achievement for the franchise.
Daniel Loria, editorial director at Box Office Pro, noted that an opening weekend of this magnitude is unprecedented for an R-rated film. The first “Deadpool” film set the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for an R-rated movie in 2016, earning approximately $132 million, while “Deadpool 2” followed with $125 million in 2018. Adjusted for inflation, the third installment is expected to reach between $200 million and $220 million.
If these projections hold true, “Deadpool & Wolverine” would join the ranks of some of Marvel’s highest-grossing films, including “The Avengers” and “Black Panther.” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, highlighted that this opening weekend would rank among the top 10 of all time and marks the highest opening weekend for Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and director Shawn Levy.
The film’s promotional efforts, critical acclaim, and audience enthusiasm have contributed to its success, making this a memorable weekend in cinematic history. According to Box Office Pro, the excitement surrounding “Deadpool & Wolverine” has led to increased demand for theater showings, capturing 43% of the showtime market share across the United States.
With a 97% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has received positive feedback from viewers, second only to “Spider-Man: No Way Home” among Marvel Cinematic Universe films. It also secured an ‘A’ CinemaScore, matching the ratings of its predecessors.
Despite a slow start to the summer box office season, several blockbusters have revitalized the industry. Dergarabedian noted that since June, there has been a continuous stream of successful films, including “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Despicable Me 4,” contributing to one of the most remarkable summer movie seasons in recent history.
Disney’s “Inside Out 2” has also made headlines, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time with $1.46 billion globally, surpassing the previous record held by “Frozen 2.” The success of these films has helped narrow the gap in domestic box office revenue compared to last year.
As of now, the domestic box office revenue deficit stands at 16.9%, and analysts are optimistic about the potential for “Deadpool & Wolverine” to further close this gap. Last year, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was the top film with a domestic gross exceeding $574 million, while the success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” has pushed the cumulative 2023 domestic box office revenue past $9 billion.
Looking ahead, analysts predict a more moderate total for 2024, but the successful summer movie slate is positioning the industry for a stronger future. Dergarabedian expressed optimism about the box office prospects for 2024, estimating that the full-year box office could reach between $8.2 billion and $8.7 billion.
In a remarkable turn of events, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has opened to a staggering $438.3 million worldwide, with $233.3 million coming from international markets and $205 million from domestic sales. This achievement marks the biggest R-rated opening of all time, surpassing previous records set by “Deadpool” and “Joker.”
The film’s international performance has been equally impressive, with “Deadpool & Wolverine” becoming the number one non-local movie in various markets. The opening weekend in Germany, the UK, Australia, and other regions has set new records for 2024.
In China, the film debuted with an estimated $24 million, placing it in second place behind “Successor.” Despite facing strong local competition, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has shown resilience and potential for growth in the market.
In Latin America, the film grossed $54.7 million, achieving a 75% market share across the region. It recorded the second-highest opening weekend in 2024 across Latin America, with impressive performances in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
The film’s Imax screenings have also contributed to its success, grossing $36.5 million globally, making it one of the best Imax openings of all time. Imax CEO Rich Gelfond praised the film’s performance, highlighting its ability to draw audiences and generate excitement for future Marvel releases.
As the summer movie season continues, “Deadpool & Wolverine” stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of superhero films and the power of effective marketing and audience engagement. The film’s success not only cements its place in cinematic history but also signals a promising future for the box office as it continues to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Source: CNN, Variety, Artisan Gateway
