What Competition? Deadpool Romps Again

Marvel's R-rated antihero smash Deadpool continued to dominate movie theaters over the weekend, reports the AP, earning an estimated $55 million and trouncing a trio of newcomers. After pulling in a massive $152.2 million in its President's Day weekend four-day debut, the comic book adaptation from 20th Century Fox starring Ryan Reynolds as a foul-mouthed mercenary again topped the North American box office. Having already grossed $235.4 million domestically, Deadpool—made for just $58 million—is likely to become one of the most successful R-rated movies ever. It's already the No. 6 highest grossing R-rated film, and needs about another $135 million to surpass the No. 1, The Passion of the Christ.

"This is a movie that's on everyone's mind," a comScore analyst tells USA Today. "Everyone is trying to figure this movie out. I don't think anyone expected it to be a blockbuster of this magnitude. Any newcomer to even debut with $55 million in late February is a total winner." Among new releases, the faith-based drama Risen, starring Joseph Fiennes, debuted with $11.8 million for Sony. A24's Puritan period thriller The Witch opened with $8.7 million. The Jesse Owens biopic from Focus Features, Race, struggled to find its footing with $7.3 million. (More box office stories.)