Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine netted $205m (£159.5m) at the box office in its debut weekend in North America – securing a spot in the top 10 openings of all time.
The comic-book movie, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, shattered the opening record for an R-rated film, where under-17s must be accompanied by an adult.
The title had previously been held by the first Deadpool, which racked up $132m (£102.6m).
When combined with takings from international markets, the film is looking at a global opening of more than $438.3m (£340m).
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‘Dream’ working with Jackman
In the top domestic opening weekends ever, Deadpool & Wolverine is seated in eighth place between The Avengers ($207.4m) and Black Panther ($202m), pushing Avengers: Age of Ultron ($191.3m) out of the top 10.
It is the second straight hit for Disney following the animated Pixar movie Inside Out 2 which saw returns of $154.2m on its June debut.
The films have helped cinema chains such as AMC Entertainment, Cineworld and Cinemark that have wrestled with a thin film slate in 2024.
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Several major titles were delayed because of strikes last year by Hollywood actors and writers.
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The top domestic opening of all time still firmly belongs to Avengers: Endgame with $357.1m.
It is followed by Spider-Man: No Way Home ($260.1m), Avengers: Infinity War ($257.6m), Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($247.9m) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi ($220m).
