With an engaging marketing campaign that has been going since before Christmas and high anticipation among fans, we all knew that “Deadpool” was the movie to beat this weekend. But no one could have predicted just how much money the R-rated Marvel superhero film would make. Following overwhelming positive reaction from critics and fans of the smart-mouthed anti-hero (played in the film by Ryan Reynolds), “Deadpool” had a colossal $135 million opening weekend, smashing all kinds of records. This time last year, “Fifty Shades of Grey” set the record for largest February opening weekend ever with $45 million. That record just got blown out of the water. The record for largest opening weekend for an R-rated movie previously held by “The Matrix Reloaded,” which debuted in 2003 to $91.7 million, has also been shattered. And to think, 20th Century Fox was initially reluctant to make an R-rated superhero movie. Everything couldn’t have aligned more perfectly.
The number one movie of the last two weeks, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” dropped to second with $19.6 million. The new romantic comedy “How to Be Single” followed close behind with $18.7 million. The movie, which stars Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, likely received a bit of a boost having opened over Valentine’s Day weekend. “Zoolander 2,” however, tanked. The sequel comes 15 years after the comedy “Zoolander” became a bit of a surprise hit in 2001. Even though the new movie features the return of stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, as well as a bevy of celebrity cameos, the film met with scathing reviews, and opened with $15.6 million, coming in fourth.
The complete list of the top 12 movies at the box office this weekend is below. Click the links to read my full review of each film.
1. “Deadpool”: $135 million
2. “Kung Fu Panda 3”: $19.6 million
3. “How to Be Single”: $18.7 million
4. “Zoolander 2”: $15.6 million
5. “The Revenant”: $6.9 million
6. “Hail, Caesar!”: $6.5 million
7. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”: $6.9 million
8. “The Choice”: $5.2 million
9. “Ride Along 2”: $4.1 million
10. “The Boy”: $2.9 million
11. “The Finest Hours”: $2.8 million
12. “The 5th Wave”: $2.7 million
Check out showtimes for these movies and more at the following St. Louis-area theaters.
· Wehrenberg Theatres
· AMC Theatres
· Regal Movie Theatres
· Galleria 6
· Chase Park Plaza
· Granite City
· Moolah Theatre
· Hi-Pointe Theatre
· St. Andrews Cinema
· Plaza Frontenac Cinema
· Tivoli Theatre
For more info, visit Box Office Mojo.
