While Marvel was announcing their upcoming slate this weekend; Deadpool & Wolverine was setting box office records and taking the number one spot at the box office.
Deadpool & Wolverine Sets R-Rated Records
Everyone knew Deadpool & Wolverine was going to do well, but the question was more so, how well was it going to do. Well according to Box Office Mojo the movie earned $205 million domestically, and $233 million domestically. Making for a total of $438 million.
Not only is the film the biggest R-rated opening ever, but it’s also the biggest opening of 2024. At this rate, it’ll easily take the number one spot as the highest-grossing film of 2024. The movie easily surpassed the current record holder, Disney’s other big Summer sequel, Inside Out 2; which took in $155 million on its opening weekend.
The movie was tracking for a $160 million to $170 million opening but repeat viewings and a strong showing on Thursday night previews really helped the movie surpass its own expectations.
The movie helped Marvel cross the $30 billion worldwide. The film was a needed hit for Marvel and Disney which most recently saw misfires with films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels, and Eternals. Disney as a whole also needed a win with recent misfires such as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Haunted Mansion, and Wish. Between Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine; Disney is certainly having a profitable Summer.
At this point; the stars of the movie are understandably taking a victory lap in their typical comedic style.
The Rest Of The Box Office
Twisters dropped 56% over last week, earning $35 million in second place. Despicable Me 4 dropped from second to third, earning $14 million. Inside Out 2 dropped from third to fourth, with $8 million. Finally, Longlegs rounded out the box office top 5 with $6 million.
Next Weekend’s Predictions
Next weekend sees the release of M. Night Shamylan’s Trap as well as the adaptation of the popular children’s novel, Harold and the Purple Crayon.
Harold and the Purple Crayon is tracking for a $10 million to $20 million opening weekend. While it’s a children’s movie based on a popular novel, it’s also not as established of an IP as Inside Out 2 or Despicable Me 4. I would expect this to land on the lower end of its tracking and likely place third or fourth.
Trap also opens next weekend and is tracking for a $20 million to $30 million opening weekend. While it’s great counterprogramming for Harold and the Purple Crayon; it’s going up against other adult-friendly fare such as Twisters and obviously Deadpool & Wolverine. Shyamalan’s movies are all over the map with regards to where they open but I would expect this to earn closer to $14 million to $16 million. While the movie is being marketed well. I don’t foresee many people being compelled to see this over other similar movies in regard to demographics. It’ll likely place third.
As always, we’ll find out next week!
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