showbiz

‘Deadpool’ blasts North American box office records

February 15, 2016

Superhero movie ‘Deadpool’ dominated the North American box office on its debut weekend, taking in a record breaking US$135 million (RM560 million). – AFP/Relaxnews pic, February 15, 2016. Superhero movie "Deadpool" dominated the North American box office on its debut weekend, taking in a record breaking US$135 million (RM560 million) and leaving its competitors in the dust, industry estimates showed yesterday.

Starring Ryan Reynolds as a Marvel Comics character, the film's blow out reception in theaters propelled it to the biggest-ever February and R-rated debut, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at comScore.

With today being a public holiday in the United States, Dergarabedian predicted the Fox production's initial haul could climb to a "mind-boggling US$150 million."

Far behind in second place was "Kung Fu Panda 3" – Dreamworks' computer-animated comedy that follows the adventures of Po as he evolves from martial arts student to teacher – which took in US$19.7 million, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

Featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie, it has garnered $93 million since its release.

Also making its debut -- in third place -- was "How to be single," a comedy about solo life set in New York City starring Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson and Leslie Mann.

It saw US$18.8 million in ticket sales over Valentine's Day weekend.

Fourth place went to fellow new release "Zoolander 2," which snagged US$15.7 million.

Starring, directed and co-written by Ben Stiller, the comedy that dips into the fashion world also features Penelope Cruz and Owen Wilson.

Coming in fifth was "The Revenant," a grisly survival and revenge thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The critically acclaimed film, which has been showered with Oscar nominations, took in US$6.9 million. – AFP/Relaxnews, February 15, 2016.