‘Deadpool’ smashes box office records with $135 million take

In addition to taking $135 million in North America, Deadpool raked in a further $125 million overseas for a huge global opening of $260 million (£179.7 million).

It’s all shocking considering the restrictive R-rating and that the surging movie was looking to make a top-end projection of $US90 million going into what looked to be an already wildly-successful weekend, according to Paul Dergarabedian, senior analyst for ComScore tracking service. Seeing as how only ten superhero movies have ever crossed the $100 million mark during a weekend debut, Fox is undoubtedly pleased with how its film is now performing. To compare, the upcoming “Batman v Superman” is said to cost around $225-$250 million, with a $150 million worldwide marketing budget, bringing its total production and marketing expenses to around $400 million.

Actor Ryan Reynolds made sure the first person to watch his eccentric new Marvel thriller, “Deadpool”, was a zealous young fan named Connor McGrath who, like the movie’s main character, is battling cancer. Reynolds will return, and we have to assume Miller will as well, with the former teasing the debut of Cable in the next film. This is also the best debut 20th Century Fox has ever had, beating out all three of the Star Wars prequels and the popular X-Men franchise. It pulled in an estimated $19.7 million through Sunday.

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.

“How to Be Single” centers on new college graduate Alice (played by Dakota Johnson) who breaks off her four-year relationship to explore what life has to offer in New York City.

Ben Stiller’s follow up to Zoolander came in third place. $300 million domestically is all but certain; the film has the same humorous take that Guardians of the Galaxy rode to $333.2 million and that film opened with $40 million less.

“Zoolander 2”, which cost about $50 million to make, has not be well received by audiences or critics. It’s a reassuring hold for a film that didn’t have good word of mouth, making a final domestic gross of $35 million well within reach.