First Marvel Jesus beat Jesus Jesus. Now he’s beaten the Clown Prince of Gotham along with every other R-rated film in the history of Hollywood. Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine has now grossed $1.085.6 billion (and counting) across the globe, pushing it past Todd Phillips’ 2019 film Joker, which made $1.078 billion. Joker was, until yesterday, the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. Now that honor goes to Deadpool & Wolverine.
This is something we had all expected after the film’s monster opening weekend and strong holds in subsequent weeks. Marvel must have expected it too because once the goal was reached, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige posted about it on social media.
From the desk of Kevin Feige.#DeadpoolAndWolverine pic.twitter.com/i7AwxIriIu
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 16, 2024
Not to over-explain a joke but below Feige’s simple note is a list. A list that Wade Wilson references in Deadpool & Wolverine. A list of code names for cocaine use which Marvel made to ensure they didn’t slip any into the film as a joke. Which, of course, is the joke.
Lots of the names didn’t make it into the movie either so it’s almost like a deleted scene. “Booger sugar,” “Sniffy lube,” “A low blow,” and “Dust fund” are my favorites that I can see.
With Joker in its rearview mirror, what records could Deadpool & Wolverine look at breaking next? Well, the R-rating does significantly impact anything beyond its current triumph. Case in point, it’s the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever but not even the top-grossing film of this year and is not likely to become that. That title is held by Inside Out 2, which has grossed almost $640 million so far domestically and about $1.6 billion globally. It would be very difficult for Deadpool to beat either of those numbers, especially with Inside Out 2 still making money each week.
Inside Out 2 is, currently, the 11th highest-grossing film ever domestically with Deadpool & Wolverine sitting at 21. Deadpool is certain to rise in those ranks, easily cracking the top 20 this weekend and potentially getting as high as 16. But the top 15 are all $600 million domestic grossers and up so with Deadpool sitting around $515 million after a month in theaters, that’s a lot of ground to make up.
Nevertheless, the film has almost certainly met or exceeded any wild expectations Marvel and Disney had for it, all but assuring these characters will return in the future. But when and how? You have to think upcoming Avengers movies would be the most likely. Or, Marvel does have two films already dated for after Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. That could be a good time for Deadpool to once again shake up the MCU.
Let us know when you think the mutants will be back and how high their box office can go.
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