Although “Deadpool & Wolverine” won’t hit theaters for another two months, it’s already smashing box office records. According to AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron, this latest Marvel Cinematic Universe entry has broken the theater chain’s record for the most tickets sold in a single day for an R-rated movie. Considering AMC is the largest theater chain globally, this achievement is significant, offering hope after a sluggish summer box office.
“Many big movies will open in May, June, and July, including ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Opens July 25. Some 200,000 movie fans have bought their AMC tickets already. This is more Day 1 ticket sales at AMC than for any other R-rated movie ever,” Aron wrote on X. As Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool might say, let’s f***ing go.
Many big movies will open in May, June & July. Including Deadpool & Wolverine starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Opens July 25. Some 200,000 movie fans have bought their AMC tickets already. This is more Day 1 ticket sales at AMC than for any other R-rated movie ever.… pic.twitter.com/BSpNKndFwr
Advertisement— Adam Aron (@CEOAdam) May 22, 2024
While AMC didn’t disclose specific numbers, tickets for director Shawn Levy’s new “Deadpool” film went on sale earlier this week, and showings are already filling up nationwide. For context, “Deadpool” ($132.4 million) and “Deadpool 2” ($125.5 million) hold the top two records for opening weekends for an R-rated movie, followed by “It” ($123.4 million), and “Joker” ($96.2 million). The return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine adds to the movie’s appeal. Notably, 2017’s “Logan” ($88.4 million) had the seventh-biggest R-rated opening ever. The combined star power of Wade and Logan promises big things.
Deadpool & Wolverine: A Summer Box Office Savior
The box office has been shaky recently, with 2024 significantly affected by the previous year’s SAG and WGA strikes. No movie has yet made $100 million or more on its opening weekend domestically this year. “Dune: Part Two” holds the high mark with an $82.5 million opening in March. “Deadpool & Wolverine” looks poised to surpass that. The question now is, how high can this R-rated superhero team-up fly? While superhero films are no longer guaranteed hits, managing expectations is wise.
Beyond the disappointment of “Madame Web” earlier this year, the past year has seen more comic book movie flops than successes. The only outright successful live-action Marvel or DC movie last year was “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” ($845 million worldwide). The MCU experienced its biggest flop with “The Marvels” ($205 million worldwide), and every DC movie released in 2023 flopped.
It’s been tough sledding and the era of presumed superhero dominance is over. So, it’s Deadpool to the rescue, with the help of his fellow mutant Wolverine. “Deadpool & Wolverine” hits theaters on July 26, 2024.
