Ultraviolent super-powered anti-hero Deadpool exploded at the box office on Thursday night with $12.7 million (Dh46.63 million) in ticket sales from preview showings, foreshadowing a big opening over the Presidents Day weekend.
The Deadpool screenings at 2,975 locations broke records for the largest February Thursday preview gross and the biggest R-rated Thursday night preview ever. The previous R-rated record holder was The Hangover Part II, which took in $10.4 million in its preview on Thursday.
Before Thursday analysts had projected that Deadpool would gross about $70 million in ticket sales through Monday in the US and Canada, marking a big return to box office success for actor Ryan Reynolds.
The star plays Wade Wilson, who acquires self-healing powers after being diagnosed with cancer.
Also opening this weekend is Zoolander 2, the sequel to the Ben Stiller comedy from 2001, which is projected to clock in at roughly $20 million to $25 million through the holiday. It launched in 2,500 theatres to $750,000 in sales.
Warner Bros.’ new romcom How to Be Single, starring Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, opened to $700,000 from pre-shows.
Deadpool releases in the UAE on February 18.
