The Marvel film, Deadpool & Wolverine, continues to dominate the box office, not just in North America but also in Italy. Over the weekend of August 10-11, it grossed an impressive $54 million in the U.S., bringing its total to $494.3 million domestically and surpassing the $1 billion mark internationally. This makes it one of the few 'R' rated films to achieve such a milestone, previously held only by Joker in 2019.
In a remarkable showing, the romantic comedy Jamais Plus, starring Blake Lively, debuted strongly at the North American box office with $50 million, suggesting a bright future for romance films in theaters. This weekend marks a rare occurrence where two films grossed around $50 million each, a feat not seen in August for quite some time.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Deadpool & Wolverine also topped the box office with €1.163 million, accumulating a total of €14.401 million over three weeks. The second position went to Trap, a thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, which made €557,000. The animated film Inside Out 2 continues to perform well, bringing its total to nearly €45 million in Italy.
Despite these successes, the overall box office takings in Italy have seen a decline of 33% compared to the previous week, indicating a challenging environment for cinemas.
- The success of **Deadpool & Wolverine** can be attributed to the star power of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, whose performances have resonated with audiences. The film's ability to cross the billion-dollar threshold internationally highlights the growing trend of superhero movies capturing global audiences.
- On the other hand, **Jamais Plus**, based on a novel by Colleen Hoover, is poised to be a significant contender in the romantic comedy genre, potentially ranking among the best entries since **Fifty Shades of Grey**. This reflects a resurgence in interest for romance films, especially during a traditionally quieter month for cinema.
- In Italy, the box office landscape is shifting, with new releases like **Trap** and **Borderlands** trying to capture audience attention. However, the overall decline in box office revenue suggests that cinemas may need to innovate to attract viewers amid changing preferences.
