In a cinematic showdown between Hollywood’s power couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, both emerged victorious at the box office. Reynolds’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” held its top spot for the third consecutive week, amassing $54.2 million in North American ticket sales and crossing the coveted $1 billion mark worldwide.
Not far behind, Lively’s romance drama “It Ends With Us” shattered expectations with an impressive $50 million opening weekend.
This dynamic duo created a “family edition” of the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, where two contrasting films thrived due to counter-programming. “Deadpool & Wolverine,” a raucous superhero flick, and “It Ends With Us,” a heartfelt romance based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, attracted diverse audiences, showcasing the couple’s wide-ranging appeal.
While Reynolds and Lively celebrated their success, the weekend also saw a high-profile flop with the long-delayed video game adaptation “Borderlands,” which opened to a disappointing $8.8 million.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” directed by Shawn Levy, is now the second R-rated film to cross $1 billion, trailing only “Joker.” It stands as one of the most successful Marvel releases and the second highest-grossing film of the year, behind Disney’s “Inside Out 2.”
Lively’s “It Ends With Us,” which she both stars in and produced, proved to be a profitable venture with its modest $25 million budget. It’s expected to maintain its momentum through August, capitalizing on its strong audience reception.
Reynolds and Lively playfully acknowledged the convergence of their film releases, further fueling audience interest. Their combined success underscores their star power and the potential for diverse storytelling to capture the hearts of moviegoers.
