‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ sets new records in N.America theaters

LOS ANGELES — Disney/Marvel superhero comedy "Deadpool & Wolverine" continued on a record-setting pace this weekend in North American theaters, clawing its way to an imposing $97 million in ticket sales, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

That brings its domestic total to $395.6 million—for the eighth best second weekend ever, Variety reported—while international ticket sales were even more impressive, at $428 million.

Buoyed by the popularity of Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), and his pal Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), the movie has already set a new record for the highest domestic gross for an R-rated feature, a distinction held since 2004 by Mel Gibson's epic drama "The Passion of the Christ" ($370 million, not inflation-adjusted).

Universal's weather thriller "Twisters" held tight in second place, taking in $22.7 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones play storm chasers caught in the middle of fast-converging tornadoes.

In third was Warner Bros.' new film "Trap," at $15.6 million. Analyst David A. Gross called that "a soft opening for an M. Night Shyamalan suspense crime thriller," adding that reviews and audience scores have been "lukewarm."

Josh Hartnett stars as a serial killer avoiding police while at a concert with his daughter. "Trap" was largely self-financed by Shyamalan, whose 1999 blockbuster "The Sixth Sense" grossed $673 million.

Slipping one spot to fourth place was Universal animation "Despicable Me 4," at $11.3 million. It has now taken in a total $314 million domestically and $386 million internationally.

And in fifth, also down one spot, was Disney's coming-of-age animation "Inside Out 2," at $6.7 million. With a domestic gross of $627 million and an overseas total of $928 million, it is now well past the $1.5 billion mark and stands as the top animated film of all time, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

• "Harold and the Purple Crayon" ($6 million)
• "Longlegs" ($4.1 million)
• "A Quiet Place: Day One" ($1.4 million)
• "The Firing Squad" ($925,000)
• "Daaru Na Peenda Hove" ($625,000)

— Agence France-Presse