Disney and Marvel Studios‘ “Deadpool & Wolverine” clawed up a massive $96 million from 4,210 locations across Friday and preview screenings. That’s far and away the biggest domestic opening day of the year — ahead of the $62 million that “Inside Out 2” nabbed in June. Not only that, it’s also the largest ever for an R-rated feature and the sixth-highest of all time, not adjusted for inflation.
That’s an epic win for the merc with the mouth and a big bounce back for Marvel Studios, which is coming off of its worst domestic performance ever with “The Marvels” last fall. The records will continue to fall this weekend as the Ryan Reynolds–Hugh Jackman buddy comedy heads toward one of the biggest domestic debuts of all time.
Reviewers were asked not to talk directly about the writing or characters, at least according to the review I heard on NPR a few days ago. Probably has a lot to do with it.
Isn’t that usually a sign of a bad movie? But this one is doing well so what gives? Why the gag order?
