'Deadpool' is blowing away all expectations
20th Century Fox
Ryan Reynold's foul-mouthed antihero brought in a big $12.7 million haul Thursday night, the largest Thursday night box-office intake for an R-rated movie.
Friday, the merc with a mouth earned $47.5 million.
DEADPOOL earned an official estimate of $47.5M on opening day Friday, setting new R-rated and February records. #Deadpool
Early estimates had "Deadpool" making $55 million to $70 million opening weekend. Now, analysts are calling for "Deadpool" to bring in well over $100 million by the end of the four-day holiday weekend.
Here are some of the predictions going around.
Boxoffice.com is predicting $114 by the end of the weekend, and $127 million after the four-day holiday weekend.
Forbes' Mark Hughes is calling for $115 million domestically by the end of Monday.
Film statistic research firm Exhibitor Relations is calling for $127 million+ by Monday's end.
The film is poised to break several box-office records including largest February opening weekend, largest R-rated opening, largest R-rated comic adaptation, and - get this - the largest opening ever for 20th Century Fox, according to BoxOfficeMojo.
Here's a look at the previous chart toppers for February. "Deadpool" should blast past them all.
Movie | Year | Opening Weekend | Worldwide gross |
Fifty Shades of Grey | 2015 | $85.2 million | $571 million |
The Passion of the Christ | 2004 | $83.8 million | $611.9 million |
The LEGO Movie | 2014 | $69 million | $469.2 million |
Hannibal | 2001 | $58 million | $351.7 million |
Valentine's Day | 2010 | $56.3 million | $216.5 million |
Here are the largest R-rated opening weekends:
Movie | Year | Opening weekend | Estimated production budget |
The Matrix Reloaded | 2003 | $91.8 million | $150 million |
American Sniper | 2015 | $89.3 million | $58.8 million |
The Hangover Part II | 2011 | $85.9 million | $80 million |
Fifty Shades of Grey | 2015 | $85.2 million | $40 million |
The Passion of the Christ | 2004 | $83.8 million | $30 million |
For what it's worth, $55 million to $70 million was a big number to estimate for the weekend given the film's R-rating and its February release. As well, "Deadpool" was made on a much more stingy budget than other superhero movies. It's budget is estimated at $58 million.
There also has never been a movie -- or superhero movie -- quite like Deadpool. Following a former mercenary Wade Wilson (Reynolds) who finds out he has cancer, Deadpool is aware he's a comic book character and breaks the fourth wall throughout the film, casually making jokes about other superheroes, celebrities, and even himself to the audience.
One of the things analysts didn't seem to be accounting for was the character's massive popularity and appeal. "Deadpool" may not have been a household name before this weekend, but he has a very large internet presence. He's also been a favorite at Comic-con events for years. We're talking Batman / Superman big.
A sequel for "Deadpool" is reportedly already in the works.
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