In a remarkable turn of events, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have achieved a rare box office feat, becoming the first married couple in 34 years to dominate the North American box office simultaneously. Reynolds’ latest Marvel Studios hit, Deadpool & Wolverine, has surpassed $1 billion globally, maintaining its position as the top film in North America for the third consecutive week with $54.2 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates.
Meanwhile, Lively’s highly anticipated romance drama, It Ends With Us, opened with a robust $50 million in North America, exceeding expectations and proving its commercial appeal. This impressive debut marks a significant win for Lively, showcasing her strong performance in a genre distinct from Reynolds’ superhero blockbuster.
The dual success of their films creates a unique “family edition of Barbenheimer,” reminiscent of the 1990 box office showdown between Bruce Willis’ Die Hard 2 and Demi Moore’s Ghost. The Reynolds-Lively box office duo demonstrates how contrasting films can thrive through counterprogramming, especially when led by Hollywood’s power couple.
In contrast, the weekend also saw the underwhelming performance of Borderlands, a $120 million video game adaptation directed by Eli Roth. Despite its high profile, the film struggled with a disappointing $8.8 million debut and received a poor reception, scoring just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, which stars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black, has faced significant delays and reshoots since its 2021 production, contributing to its lackluster performance.
