“Deadpool & Wolverine” once again dominated the North American box office this past weekend, raking in an impressive $15.2 million. This remarkable performance has propelled domestic August box office totals well above pre-pandemic levels, marking a robust conclusion to the summer season, according to industry analysts on Sunday.
This superhero comedy, a collaborative effort between Disney and Marvel, has consistently led domestic ticket sales nearly every weekend since its release six weeks ago. Its enduring popularity can be attributed in part to the star power and camaraderie of leading actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. With a cumulative domestic gross now standing at a staggering $603.8 million, “Deadpool & Wolverine” joins an elite group of just 16 films to have surpassed the $600 million mark. Notably, 11 of these blockbusters have been produced by Walt Disney Studios, as reported by 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, which garnered a solid $9.3 million in its third weekend, is set decades after the original “Alien” movie. It stars Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson as space colonists who face off against deadly xenomorphs.
Sony’s “It Ends With Us,” a romance drama adapted from Colleen Hoover’s popular novel of the same name, secured third place with $7.4 million in ticket sales during the typically quiet US Labor Day weekend. Blake Lively not only stars in the film but also co-produced it.
The biographical film “Reagan,” focusing on the 40th President of the United States, brought in $7.4 million. Released by ShowBiz Direct and MJM Entertainment, this film’s performance was considered a strong domestic opening for a political biography, as audiences appeared to overlook lukewarm reviews. The film, timed to coincide with the intensifying race for the 47th presidency, is based on Paul Kengor’s book “The Crusader” and stars Dennis Quaid in a sympathetic portrayal of Ronald Reagan’s journey from childhood to his presidency.
Securing fifth place was Universal’s “Twisters,” the highly anticipated follow-up to 1996’s hit “Twister.” The film earned an estimated $7.2 million in ticket sales. Glen Powell stars as a charismatic storm chaser who becomes fascinated by a mysteriously prescient rival, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, as they navigate a series of extraordinary tornadoes.
The North American box office, initially hampered by the impact of Covid-19 and subsequent strikes, experienced a sluggish start to the summer. However, strong performances from films like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Alien: Romulus,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Twisters” have dramatically turned the tide. Looking ahead, Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” set to release next weekend, is expected to further invigorate the box office.
The top 10 box office list was rounded out by:
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)
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