‘Deadpool’: A Breakdown of Its Box-Office Records

Proving that wit and originality can pay off, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool shattered numerous records in its global debut as the daring, R-rated superhero movie transformed into a must-see curiosity.

In North America, Deadpool earned $135 million for the three-day Valentine’s Day/Presidents Day weekend on its way to a massive four-day holiday gross of $150 million or more. Overseas, it launched to a rousing $125 million.

The Fox movie, an X-Men spinoff, launches a new superhero franchise and redeems the studio after last summer’s Fantastic Four debacle. And it more than redeems Reynolds after his previous superhero movie, Green Lantern, fell flat. Deadpool is easily the actor’s top opening of all time.

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Reynolds spent more than a decade convincing Fox to make Deadpool his way, meaning with a “hard” R rating. The decision to say ‘”yes” paid off, with Deadpool securing the No. 7 opening of all time for a comic book adaptation behind the two The Avengers movies, Iron Man 3, the final two Dark Knight films and Spider-Man 3, not accounting for inflation.

Here’s a breakdown of the movie’s record ride so far:

Biggest opening for an R-rated film — North America
The Matrix Reloaded claimed this record for almost 13 years after debuting to $91.8 million in May 2003.

Biggest Fox Opening — North America
The studio’s previous biggest opening was $108.4 million, and that belonged to Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005).

Biggest Feature Directorial Debut — North America
Deadpool helmer Tim Miller, a second unit director on Thor: The Dark World and a creative supervisor on Kick-Ass, takes bragging rights from Elizabeth Banks, who held the record for Pitch Perfect 2 ($69.2 million).

Biggest Valentine’s Day/Presidents Day  — North America
Deadpool wrested the crown from last year’s Fifty Shades of Grey, which earned $85.2 million for the three-day holiday and $93 million for the four days.

Biggest January/February Opening — North America
American Sniper was the previous January champ with a three-day debut of $89.3 million, while Fifty Shades was the February record-holder.

Biggest Thursday night for an R-rated film — North America
Deadpool scored $12.7 million in Thursday-night previews, beating the $10.4 million earned by The Hangover: Part II on the eve of Memorial Day in 2011.

Biggest Friday for an R-rated film
The film took in $47.5 million, well ahead of the previous record-holder, American Sniper ($30.3 million).

Biggest Russian Debut — International
Deadpool nabbed $12.4 million, besting Star Wars: The Force Awakens to nab the top opening ever in Russia. Also overseas, the movie marked Fox’s top opening in 13 markets, including Australia ($10 million) and Taiwan ($8.3 million). And Deadpool scored the biggest opening for a film with the equivalent of an R rating in 11 territories, including the Philippines ($2.8 million), known to be a conservative marketplace.

Biggest Imax 2D and R-rated Opening — Global
Imax theaters contributed an estimated $28 million of the film’s worldwide opening to score the biggest start ever for an R-rated title. It’s also the biggest 2D opening of all time for Imax, eclipsing The Dark Knight Rises ($23.8 million). Imax theaters in North America contributed $19 million.

Biggest PLF R-rated Opening — North America
Premium large format screens took in $17.6 million for the three-day weekend, the top showing ever for an R-rated title. American Sniper was the previous record holder ($8.7 million).