‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ topples more records

Disney/Marvel superhero comedy Deadpool & Wolverine continued on a record-setting pace this weekend in North American theatres, clawing its way to an imposing $97 million in ticket sales, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

That brings its domestic total to $395.6 million — for the eighth best second weekend ever, Variety reported — while international ticket sales were even more impressive, at $428 million.

Buoyed by the popularity of Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), and his pal Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), the movie has already set a new record for the highest domestic gross for an R-rated feature, a distinction held since 2004 by Mel Gibson’s epic drama The Passion of the Christ ($370 million, not inflation-adjusted).

Universal’s weather thriller Twisters held tight in second place, taking in $22.7 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones play storm chasers caught in the middle of fast-converging tornadoes.

In third was Warner Bros.’ new film Trap, at $15.6 million. Analyst David A. Gross called that “a soft opening for an M. Night Shyamalan suspense crime thriller,” adding that reviews and audience scores have been “lukewarm.”

Josh Hartnett stars as a serial killer avoiding police while at a concert with his daughter. Trap was largely self-financed by Shyamalan, whose 1999 blockbuster The Sixth Sense grossed $673 million.

Slipping one spot to fourth place was Universal animation Despicable Me 4, at $11.3 million. It has now taken in a total $314 million domestically and $386 million internationally.

And in fifth, also down one spot, was Disney’s coming-of-age animation Inside Out 2, at $6.7 million. With a domestic gross of $627 million and an overseas total of $928 million, it is now well past the $1.5 billion mark and stands as the top animated film of all time, according to Hollywood Reporter.