In an industry where keeping the magic alive can often feel like a tightrope walk above a bottomless chasm, Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine has pulled off a feat more astounding than pulling a rabbit out of a hat. The sequel to Deadpool 2 (2018) has hit box office milestones that have breathed new life into Marvel Studios.
Starring Ryan Reynolds as the mercurial Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, the film has overwhelmed audiences & critics alike, reportedly grossing a jaw-dropping $495 million domestically. And this has propelled it past the $1 billion mark globally.
With an indomitable duo like Reynolds and Hugh Jackman shouldering the narrative, the film’s creative freedom & sheer charm have set a new gold standard. And thus, we can’t help but wonder if other MCU films like The Marvels and Eternals might’ve hit it out of the park, had they been done right.
Deadpool & Wolverine: A Box Office Phenomenon Surpassing $1 Billion
Ah, the sweet smell of success! Deadpool & Wolverine has clawed its way to the top of the box office charts, raking in over $1 billion worldwide (via Variety).
The film, which marks the first time Ryan Reynolds’ wisecracking antihero has teamed up with Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine under the Marvel banner, achieved a record-breaking feat from the get-go. Deadpool & Wolverine roared out of the gate with the only other R-rated film, setting a new gold standard for adult-themed superhero movies.
According to Variety’s report, the film is only the second R-rated film to achieve this feat, following the path blazed by 2019’s Joker.
Marvel Studios must be feeling like a kid in a candy store right now. After a string of underperforming movies, Deadpool 3 has brought some much-needed optimism to the franchise.
But while the Merc With a Mouth and the Wolverine make for a formidable team, they still have a long way to go before they can match Spidey’s billion-dollar success. Deadpool & Wolverine is just the second MCU film to hit the billion-dollar jackpot since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. The first to strike gold was Spider-Man: No Way Home, which made $1.9 billion (Box Office Mojo) in 2021.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Success Has Put The Marvels and Eternals in the Spotlight
For years, Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe has been the golden goose of Hollywood, laying golden eggs with an unbroken string of several blockbuster hits. But lately, the superhero juggernaut seems to have hit a speed bump.
Not every Marvel film has been a home run—some have been more like swinging and missing. However, nothing quite prepared audiences for the crash landing of The Marvels, the 33rd entry in the MCU. This sequel to the 2019 hit Captain Marvel was supposed to be a slam dunk, but instead, it ended up being a major letdown.
With a global take of $206 million against a hefty production budget of $274.8 million, The Marvels has become the lowest-grossing film in the MCU—a rare misstep in Marvel’s otherwise flawless victory lap (Box Office Mojo). To make matters worse, Eternals, despite pulling in $402 million (Box Office Mojo), became another MCU flick to falter critically, marking a troubling turn of events. So, what’s the scoop on why these films didn’t hit the jackpot?
For one, they have probably missed the mark in delivering the kind of innovative spark that made Deadpool & Wolverine soar. The latter, powered by creative freedom & star power, recently smashed through the billion-dollar barrier with a bang, proving that a winning formula can still do wonders.
According to the Russo brothers (Joe and Anthony Russo), superhero fatigue might not be the villain of the piece (via GamesRadar+). Instead, they see a shifting landscape in media consumption. Joe Russo suggested we’re in a period of transition where the old storytelling formats are struggling to keep up with a new generation that’s more into quick hits of information—memes, headlines, and 10-second videos.
To quote Joe Russo:
I think we’re in a transitional period and people don’t know quite yet how they’re going to receive stories moving forward, or what kinds of stories they’re going to want.
Sure, after releases like The Marvels and Eternals failed to set the box office on fire and faced a barrage of mixed to negative reviews, Deadpool & Wolverine does serve as a beacon of hope.
Deadpool & Wolverine is playing in theaters.
Stream The Marvels & Eternals on Disney+.
