Deadpool & Wolverine smashes R‑rated ticket sales record

For several months, no one doubted that "Deadpool & Wolverine" would achieve spectacular success in theaters. The only unknown was its scale. The trailers were breaking internet view records. Social media buzzed with the film's premiere, Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine, and the pre-sale ticket numbers dispelled any uncertainties.

According to recent tradition, selected theaters offered early evening screenings a day before the film's official premiere. During these pre-premiere showings, "Deadpool & Wolverine" set its first record.

According to initial reports, during the evening screenings on Thursday, the comic book adaptation grossed at least $35 million in American theaters, possibly even $40 million. Either way, this is the best performance in history among R-rated titles (people under 17 can only watch the movie under adult supervision). The previous record belonged to the second part of "Deadpool," which grossed just $18.6 million.

"Deadpool & Wolverine" achieved a result on par with "Avengers: Infinity War," which grossed as much as $257.7 million during its opening weekend. But that was a PG-13-rated production. The movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman won't achieve such results. Its audience will only be coming to theaters late afternoon and evening. Recent forecasts and pre-sale ticket results predicted a figure of around $170 million in the USA, but the pre-premiere screening results give hope for an even better outcome.

Importantly, "Deadpool & Wolverine" receives very good reviews from viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, there have been over 2,500 film ratings, of which as many as 98% are positive. The comic book adaptation also receives good reviews from critics (80%). Everything seems to favor the film in breaking more records.