Deadpool & Wolverineis going to break records upon its release this summer. Just how big can the Merc with a Mouth get? PerDeadline,Deadpool & Wolverineis projected to have the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for an R-rated film at the domestic box office.
Conservative estimates fromThe Quorum, the industry leader in film data research, pegDeadpool & Wolverine’sopening weekend projection between $200 million and $239 million. A $200 million opening would shatter the record held byDeadpool, which opened to $132.4 million in February 2016.
“Even ifDeadpool & Wolverinecomes in at $150 million (keep in mind, it’s not clear if the younger Disney Marvel Studios parents/fans realize this is R-rated), it will still rep the biggest opening for both [Ryan] Reynolds (beatingDeadpool) and [Hugh] Jackman (bestingX-Men: The Last Stand‘s $103 million),” Deadline’s report states.
Marvel is entering a new phase where the company will focus on quality, not quantity. This past May,Disney CEO Bob Igersaid Marvel would reduce its film output from “maybe four a year to two, or a maximum of three.” The strategic shift comes after a disappointing 2023, withThe Marvelsbombing at the box office andAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaunderperforming.
Deadpool & Wolverineis the only movie on Marvel’s schedule in 2024. It marks the highly anticipated MCU debut of Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool. The third installment will see Deadpool teaming up with Wolverine (Jackman) on a multiversal mission involving the Time Variance Authority (TVA).Deadpool & Wolverinealso stars Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Rob Delaney as Peter, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, and Matthew Macfadyen as Paradox.
Directed by Shawn Levy,Deadpool & Wolverinewill be part of Phase Five of theMCU. It will be released in theaters on August 12, 2025.
