• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Arts & Entertainment

Deadpool Is the Highest Grossing R-Rated Film Ever

Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 29, 2016, 9:45 AM ET
"Deadpool" Fan Event
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Actor Ryan Reynolds attends the "Deadpool" fan event at AMC Empire Theatre on February 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)Nicholas Hunt—Getty Images

Sure, Batman v Superman had a stellar weekend at the box office despite blistering reviews. But Deadpool, the Marvel antihero flick released a month earlier, isn’t exactly playing sidekick. The movie has stolen some of the spotlight from Warner Bros.’ (TWX) superhero grudge match by becoming the world’s highest-grossing R-rated film ever.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Deadpool grossed a total of $746 million worldwide after this weekend, according to Box Office Mojo, edging past the $742 million raked in by The Matrix Reloaded, a 2003 Warner Bros. blockbuster. The 20th Century Fox (FOX) film starring Ryan Reynolds ranks 68th on a list of international releases vs. the sci-fi sequel’s placement at 71.

Amazingly, Deadpool did not have a release in China, an increasingly important market for motion pictures.

For more on Deadpool’s box office success, watch:

In terms of U.S. ticket sales, Deadpool has banked $349 million so far. That makes the Tim Miller-directed film the bronze medal winner for R-rated movies, lagging behind only The Passion of the Christ ($371 million) and American Sniper ($350 million) domestically.

Hollywood already knew that comic book adaptions perform well in theaters. The trash-talking warrior has taught it that those aimed at adult audiences can land a punch too; indeed, the creators of Batman v Superman, seemingly taking a cue from “the merc with a mouth,” have already announced an R-rated cut of their film slated for DVD.

Know what else performs well? Sequels. And yes, a follow-up Deadpool is already reportedly in the works.

About the Author
Robert Hackett
By Robert Hackett
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Big TechStreaming
Trump warns Netflix-Warner deal may pose antitrust ‘problem’
By Hadriana Lowenkron, Se Young Lee and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
5 hours ago
Arts & EntertainmentReligion
This pastor fills up arenas with young people by not sugarcoating the Bible, serving a generation ‘gravitating towards that authenticity and truth’
By Charlotte Kramon and The Associated PressDecember 7, 2025
13 hours ago
MagazineWarren Buffett
Warren Buffett: Business titan and cover star
By Indrani SenDecember 7, 2025
18 hours ago
Arts & EntertainmentMedia
Former Amazon Studios boss warns the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal will make Hollywood ‘a system that circles a single sun’
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
Raul Rocha Cantú
LawCrime
Miss Universe co-owner gets bank accounts frozen as part of probe into drugs, fuel and arms trafficking
By Fabiola Sánchez and The Associated PressDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
Zaslav, Sarandos
BankingMedia
A Thanksgiving dealmaking sprint helped Netflix win Warner Bros.
By Michelle F. Davis and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a 'real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
11 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.