As 'Deadpool & Wolverine' shatters box office records, here are the highest-grossing R-rated movies ever
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a groundbreaking achievement, the highly-anticipated film 'Deadpool & Wolverine' has shattered box office records, securing the largest R-rated global opening of all time.
The movie has raked in an impressive $438 million worldwide opening, according to Forbes, surpassing previous records held by other R-rated films.
This monumental success marks a significant milestone for the Marvel franchise, which hit the $30 billion global gross mark and solidifies the enduring popularity of its iconic characters.
With its unique blend of dark humor, action-packed sequences, and wicked style, 'Deadpool & Wolverine' has resonated with audiences worldwide, cementing its place in cinematic history.
Before 'Deadpool & Wolverine' claimed the top spot, here are 10 of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time.
10) The Hangover Part II (2011)
'The Hangover' franchise is a comedy goldmine. The first film impressed critics with its unique blend of clever and crude humor. The lead actors' chemistry was undeniable, and their lasting friendship is a testament to the film's success. The trio's dynamic was crucial to the movie's appeal.
Despite the original's success, 'Hangover Part II' raked in the most box office dollars. Although it received mixed reviews, it capitalized on the first film's popularity to become the highest-grossing R-rated comedy at the time.
Critics slammed the sequel for rehashing the same plot in a new setting, but it still struck gold at the box office.
9) The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' has sparked heated debate and attracted huge audiences. Released on Ash Wednesday, the movie shows the final hours of Jesus' life and his death on the cross, selling an astonishing 60 million tickets in its first run.
Critics are divided, with some calling it a masterpiece and others criticizing its graphic violence and perceived anti-Semitic themes.
Despite the controversy, the film has been a massive commercial success, making it one of the most-watched and talked-about films in history.
8) Logan (2017)
The 2017 film 'Logan' is widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. It made history as the first superhero adaptation to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
Critics praised it for being a unique and emotional farewell to the beloved character, subverting traditional superhero genre conventions.
'Logan' was a massive box office success, earning more in its first 13 days than 'The Wolverine' did in its entire run. Despite its R rating, it sold more tickets than previous 'X-Men' films, except for 'Deadpool'.
7) Detective Chinatown 3 (2021)
The 'Detective Chinatown' movies are popular in China, but not well-known in America. The third movie, released in 2021, is about two detectives who go to Tokyo to solve a crime. They compete with Japan's top detectives.
This movie had a huge opening, earning more money than 'Avengers: Endgame' in the US. It even made more money on its first day than 'Avengers: Endgame'.
Critics liked the movie's unique style and willingness to be silly, making it stand out from other movies in the series.
6) It (2017)
Adapting Stephen King's works can be tricky. Some movie versions are huge successes, while others fail badly. 'It' is one of King's toughest stories to bring to the screen. The first try, a 1990 miniseries with Tim Curry as Pennywise, got mixed reviews. The rest of the series got worse reviews, disappointing fans and critics.
But in 2017, a new version of 'It' finally got it right. Critics loved how it balanced scary moments with heartwarming friendships. Bill Skarsgard's chilling performance as Pennywise earned him award nominations. The movie broke records, making more money than any R-rated movie on its first Thursday night.
It had the biggest opening for a horror movie and is the highest-grossing Stephen King adaptation. While the sequel disappointed some fans, its impact on horror movies can't be ignored.
5) The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The 1999 film 'The Matrix' was a groundbreaking movie. So, it's no surprise that the creators wanted to make an equally amazing sequel. 'The Matrix Reloaded' was released in 2003 and continues the story where the first film left off.
The main actors returned, and fans eagerly followed Neo and Trinity's next adventure against the machines.
Although some critics thought it wasn't as good as the original, they still praised the movie for its engaging storyline and character development. The film did well at the box office, holding the record for the highest six-day opening in 2003 until 'Spider-Man 2' surpassed it.
Until 'Deadpool' was released, 'The Matrix Reloaded' was also the highest-grossing R-rated film worldwide.
4) Deadpool (2016)
'Deadpool' changed the game for superhero movies. Before, Marvel films played it safe to appeal to all ages. But 'Deadpool' took a risk and embraced its protagonist's adult humor and violence. This faithfulness paid off big time!
'Deadpool' broke records, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film, surpassing 'The Matrix Reloaded's' decade-long hold. It set daily records for an entire week and the whole month of February.
It reached $200 million faster than any other R-rated movie. The studio was surprised and thrilled by its massive success, crediting its quality and clever marketing.
3) Deadpool 2 (2018)
The second 'Deadpool' movie surprised everyone by being even more popular than the first. It kept the same spirit and humor as the original, but with a new story, fresh take on characters, and hilarious jokes that had audiences laughing out loud.
Before it even opened, 'Deadpool 2' was already a hit, with record-breaking presales at Regal Cinemas and Fandango. It played in the most theaters of any R-rated movie, beating 'It's' record.
'Deadpool 2' even surpassed 'Avengers: Infinity War' at the box office, a huge achievement given the dominance of the Infinity Saga. It's one of the best superhero sequels ever, and its success is well-deserved.
2) Oppenheimer (2023)
In 2023, everyone was talking about 'Oppenheimer'. It was a cultural phenomenon and won the Best Picture award. Critics loved it, calling it one of the year's greatest films. It's director Christopher Nolan's best work, combining intelligence and historical horror.
'Oppenheimer' broke many box office records. It's the highest-grossing film never to reach number one (because 'Barbie' kept beating it). It also gave Nolan his biggest opening weekend, surpassing 'The Dark Knight' trilogy.
'Oppenheimer' had the third-highest opening for any biopic. This film is a huge success, both critically and financially, and deserves celebration.
1) Joker (2019)
The 2019 film 'Joker' is the highest-grossing R-rated movie to date, pushing the limits of comic book movies with its bold origin story. It doesn't hold back on graphic violence, staying true to the character's nature.
This film was a huge success, both critically and commercially. Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor, and it got 11 Academy Award nominations, a record for comic book movies. Its stars, including Phoenix and Robert de Niro, set career records.
With the fourth-biggest opening for an R-rated film, it stayed in theaters for 155 days, becoming the fourth-highest domestic-grossing film. This movie's incredible success story deserves celebration.
'Deadpool & Wolverine' trailer
'Deadpool & Wolverine' is now streaming in theatres