“Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman star in Marvel’s Record-Breaking ‘Deadpool & Wolverine'”

Disney and Marvel Studios have hit another milestone with their latest film, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” as it becomes only the second R-rated film ever to surpass $1 billion at the global box office. The film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, is also on track to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time.

The current record for the highest-grossing R-rated film is held by Warner Bros.’ “Joker,” which earned $1.078 billion during its theatrical run in 2019. However, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has already amassed $1.029 billion as of Sunday’s estimated numbers, according to data from Comscore.

The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, the film’s marketing strategy, which included a viral popcorn bucket, was innovative and helped generate buzz. Additionally, the release date was strategically chosen, and Ryan Reynolds’ tireless promotion of the film played a significant role.

Furthermore, the critical acclaim and positive reception from fans contributed to the film’s success. The movie was embraced by both critics and audiences alike, which undoubtedly boosted its box office performance. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, notes that the film’s strong showing is a significant moment for Disney after a relatively slow post-pandemic period for the studio.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” marks the third stand-alone feature starring Ryan Reynolds as the iconic antihero. It has already achieved the highest opening of any film released in 2024 and holds the record for the highest debut of an R-rated film.

This film is also noteworthy as it is the first R-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie. The previous two Deadpool films were produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox, which Disney acquired in 2019. The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” further solidifies Disney’s dominance in the film industry.

In addition to “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Disney has seen another film, Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” surpass $1 billion at the global box office this year. The company is expected to have more billion-dollar hits in the future, with “Moana 2” set to release over the Thanksgiving holiday.

These recent box office successes are a welcome rebound for Disney, considering the string of underperforming films from its traditionally successful franchises. However, the company is now focusing on its existing and beloved franchises to recapture the magic.

During the biannual D23 Expo, Disney shared details about upcoming titles from all of its studios. The lineup includes major animated sequels like “Toy Story 5,” “Zootopia 2,” “Frozen III,” and “Incredibles 3.” Additionally, there are numerous new Marvel titles, such as “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts*,” “The Fantastic 4: First Steps,” “Blade,” “Avengers: Doomsday,” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” The event also showcased footage of “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the next Star Wars film.

Disney’s reliance on these established franchises is not surprising, considering their proven success. The Toy Story franchise alone has generated $3.2 billion at the global box office, while the two Frozen films have surpassed $2.7 billion worldwide. The two Incredibles films have tallied $1.8 billion globally, and “Zootopia” reached $1 billion during its run in 2016.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, surpassing $30 billion at the global box office since its inception in 2008. Likewise, the Star Wars franchise has a solid track record, generating over $10 billion in ticket sales since the release of “A New Hope” in 1977.

Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory, emphasizes that surpassing the billion-dollar mark is significant as it reflects a film’s ability to capture the global zeitgeist. He believes that “Deadpool & Wolverine” has undoubtedly achieved this feat and applauds Disney and Marvel for their triumphant return to the ten-digit summit.

Overall, the success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” and Disney’s overall box office performance demonstrate the enduring appeal of well-established franchises. As the company continues to deliver new installments and explore fresh storylines within these beloved worlds, it is likely that Disney will maintain its dominance in the industry and produce more billion-dollar hits in the future.