The Marvel Studios film “Deadpool & Wolverine” has earned over $1.086 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. The movie, which released in theaters just 23 days ago, stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
With this massive box office total, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has surpassed the previous record set by director Todd Phillips’ 2019 film “Joker.” Phillips congratulated the creative team on Instagram, sharing a screenshot of a news article about the achievement along with a humorous photo. He praised director Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds for creating “an absolute steam roller of a movie.”
Levy responded to Phillips, thanking him and expressing excitement for Phillips’ upcoming “Joker” sequel “Folie à Deux.” The success shows the enduring popularity of Deadpool and Wolverine with audiences. The film has made over $516 million domestically and $568 million internationally so far, performing especially well in China, the UK, and Mexico.
Breaking this R-rated box office record demonstrates the appetite for more mature superhero movies. When “Joker” first passed $1 billion, it was unprecedented for an R-rated film. Now, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has continued pushing boundaries. Fans are anticipating the next projects from both franchises, including “Folie à Deux” starring Lady Gaga alongside Joaquin Phoenix’s return as the Joker.
The respect between directors Phillips and Levy reflects how filmmakers in Hollywood often celebrate each other’s achievements. This is particularly true for big-budget superhero films, which continue redefining what’s possible in blockbuster movies. As “Deadpool & Wolverine” continues in theaters, it will be monitored for further records. Meanwhile, anticipation grows for “Folie à Deux” and whether it can regain the title. Overall, this shows R-rated films competing with and even surpassing their PG-13 counterparts globally.
