Deadpool & Wolverine continues to reign supreme at the box office, raking in $28.3 million on Friday alone. This dynamic duo, featuring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has surged past a $300 million domestic total, making it the second-highest-grossing film of the year so far, overtaking Despicable Me 4 and Dune: Part Two. Unlike many superhero films that experience a significant drop in their second weekend, Deadpool & Wolverine is expected to see only a 55% decline, indicating its widespread appeal beyond hardcore Marvel fans. It also maintains its strong presence in premium large-format theaters, such as IMAX.
The film is on track to break records, including surpassing the highest domestic gross for an R-rated film, a title held for over two decades by The Passion of the Christ ($370 million). Deadpool & Wolverine is expected to eclipse this milestone by the end of its second weekend, with no signs of slowing down.
Meanwhile, M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller Trap is performing well, earning $6.7 million on Friday and during preview screenings across 3,181 locations. This opening day surpasses the $5.4 million debut of his previous film, Knock at the Cabin, from February 2023. Starring Josh Hartnett as a serial killer caught in a police sting at a concert, Trap is projected to secure a third-place debut with a three-day gross exceeding $15 million. Despite mixed reviews and a “C+” grade from CinemaScore, the film’s solid start reflects Shyamalan’s continued box office draw.
Sony’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on the beloved children’s book, had a disappointing opening day with just $2.4 million from 3,325 locations. The family film, starring Zachary Levi, faces a tough road ahead with a projected $6 million debut and unfavorable reviews, despite an “A-” CinemaScore from early audiences. With a $40 million production budget, its financial success remains uncertain as it struggles to break into the domestic top five.
Amblin’s Twisters continues to perform well, holding onto second place with an estimated $22 million in its third weekend, marking a 37% decline from the previous weekend. The natural disaster film has now grossed over $170 million domestically, surpassing Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to become the eighth-highest-grossing film of the year.
Universal’s Despicable Me 4 remains a strong contender, projected to earn $11.1 million in its fifth weekend, representing a 24% drop. The Illumination sequel has already surpassed the $300 million mark domestically, joining an exclusive club of top earners this year.
