Deadpool 2 has officially dethroned its predecessor as 20th Century Fox’s highest-grossing X-Men-related film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, last summer’s sequel has just crossed the $784 million mark at the global box office. And it seems we have Fred Savage to thank for that.
This latest figure is largely due to the film’s recent PG-13 re-release under the Once Upon a Deadpool title, which allowed it to be screened in new international markets like China. That country initially banned the release of the first Deadpool as well as the sequel’s original R-rated cut. Fortunately, the family-friendly rebranding, boasting a framing device parodying The Princess Bride, opened the door for a whole new audience. Ryan Reynolds attended the film’s Beijing premiere in January, and subsequently shared photos to his Instagram account.
RELATED: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick Talk X-Force and Deadpool 3
Before the re-release, Deadpool 2’s final box office tally stood at around $738 million, falling roughly $45 million short of the original’s worldwide gross of $783 million. Evidently, the sequel’s Chinese release was allowed it to reach its newest milestone. When it premiered in China, the film earned more than $40 million in its first 10 days. Rounding out Fox’s top five most successful X-Men films are X-Men: Days of Future Past, Logan, and X-Men: Apocalypse.
Deadpool 2 and Once Upon a Deadpool are both currently available to own on home media. How do you feel about the film’s newfound financial success? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!