The highly anticipated film 'Deadpool & Wolverine' has made a remarkable entrance into the box office, shattering the Thursday preview record for an R-rated movie. The comic-book adaptation raked in an impressive $38.5 million from preview screenings on Thursday, as reported by Disney on Friday.
Prior to this, the record for the highest Thursday preview earnings for an R-rated movie was held by 'Deadpool 2,' released in May 2018, which garnered $18.6 million. The success of 'Deadpool & Wolverine' in its previews is more akin to major blockbusters like 'Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker' and 'Avengers: Infinity War.'
The film's release has been eagerly awaited by audiences and theater owners alike, especially in a box office climate that has been struggling to match previous years. The industry is currently down 17% compared to last year, with a significant 34% drop from the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
'Deadpool & Wolverine' marks the first Marvel movie of the summer season, a crucial period that typically contributes around 40% of the annual box office revenue. The absence of a major Marvel blockbuster at the start of the summer has been felt, with the industry striving to regain its momentum.
Despite concerns about 'superhero fatigue' at the box office, 'Deadpool & Wolverine' appears to be immune to this trend. With glowing reviews and enthusiastic fan support, the film is poised to set new records over the weekend. It is currently showing on over 4,200 screens across the United States and Canada, with analysts predicting a weekend earnings of at least $160 million.
To secure a spot in the top 10 openings of all time, 'Deadpool & Wolverine' would need to exceed expectations and surpass the $191.3 million mark. The film has also seen success internationally, earning $64.8 million in just its first two days across 48 markets.
