HOLLYWOOD — New Disney/Marvel comedy "Deadpool & Wolverine" scored a "spectacular" opening in North American theaters this weekend, its huge take of $205 million placing it not just near the top of superhero films but marking the eighth-biggest opening ever, analysts said Sunday.
"The numbers are fantastic," said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. "These characters' popularity is growing, not slowing."
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The film is enjoying positive reviews and "excellent" audience scores, Gross said. The popularity of Ryan Reynolds (who plays Deadpool and shares a writing credit), and his real-life pal Hugh Jackman (Wolverine)-- didn't hurt, either.
The debut ranks just ahead of 2018's "Black Panther," which opened to $202 million, and just behind "Jurassic World" ($208 million in 2015), according to Variety. International ticket sales are already a stunning $233.3 million.
Its opening was also the best ever for an R-rated film (not inflation-adjusted), far surpassing the previous record holder, the first "Deadpool" ($133.7 million), according to the Hollywood Reporter.
That left last weekend's top film, Universal's weather thriller "Twisters," twisting in the dust, with what normally would be a respectable take of $35.3 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
The stand-alone follow-up to 1996's popular "Twister" has Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones playing risk-taking storm chasers caught in the middle of fast-converging tornadoes.
In third for the Friday-through-Sunday period was Universal's animated comedy "Despicable Me 4," earning $14.2 million in its fourth weekend out. It has total ticket sales so far of $291.0 million in North America.
Slipping one spot to fourth place was Disney and Pixar's coming-of-age animation "Inside Out 2," at $8.3 million.
Also down one spot was horror mystery "Longlegs" at $6.8 million. Nicolas Cage stars in the film, the all-time top grosser from indie studio Neon.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"A Quiet Place: Day One" ($3.0 million)
"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" ($1.3 million)
"The Fabulous Four" ($1.0 million)
"Fly Me to the Moon" ($750,000)
"Raayan" ($375,000)
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