“Deadpool & Wolverine” once again dominated the North American box office this weekend, raking in an estimated $15.2 million. This impressive performance has significantly boosted domestic August totals, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting the stage for a robust summer finale, analysts observed on Sunday.

The superhero comedy, a collaboration between Disney and Marvel, has been a consistent leader in domestic ticket sales nearly every weekend since its debut six weeks ago. The film’s success can be attributed partly to the magnetic appeal of its stars, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, whose on-screen chemistry has drawn large audiences.

Currently, “Deadpool & Wolverine” boasts a domestic total of $603.8 million, making it only the 16th film in history to cross the $600 million mark. Remarkably, 11 of these films have been produced by Walt Disney Studios, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

In second place for the Friday-through-Sunday period was “Alien: Romulus,” a sci-fi horror film from Disney-owned 20th Century Studios. The film garnered a solid $9.3 million in its third weekend. Set decades after the original “Alien” movie, this latest installment stars Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson as space colonists who face their own deadly encounter with xenomorphs.

Sony’s “It Ends With Us,” a romantic drama adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, secured third place with $7.4 million in ticket sales over the traditionally quiet US Labor Day weekend. The film features Blake Lively, who not only stars but also co-produced the movie.

“Reagan,” a biographical film about the 40th US president, produced by ShowBiz Direct and MJM Entertainment, earned $7.4 million. Despite mixed reviews, the film managed a strong domestic opening, described by analyst David A. Gross as a “good domestic opening for a political biography.” Timely released as the race for the 47th presidency heats up, the movie is based on Paul Kengor’s book “The Crusader” and stars Dennis Quaid in a sympathetic portrayal that tracks Reagan’s journey from childhood to his presidency.

Rounding out the top five was “Twisters,” Universal’s sequel to the popular 1996 film “Twister,” which earned an estimated $7.2 million. Glen Powell plays a charming storm chaser who is intrigued by a mysteriously foresighted rival, portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones, as they navigate through a series of astonishing tornadoes.

The North American box office, initially hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent industry strikes, began the summer on a slow note. However, strong performances from films like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Alien: Romulus,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Twisters” have led to a dramatic turnaround. Anticipation is high for Tim Burton’s upcoming release, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” expected to give the box office an additional boost next weekend.

Completing the top ten were:

1. “Blink Twice” ($4.7 million)
2. “The Forge” ($4.6 million)
3. “Despicable Me 4” ($4.1 million)
4. “Afr AId” ($3.7 million)
5. “Coraline” (15th anniversary re-release, $3.2 million)

Overall, this summer has seen a resurgence in box office numbers, indicating a promising recovery for the film industry.