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Exhibitors finally had a holdover hit to celebrate as DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE pumped $97M in ticket sales into the multiplexes this weekend.

Hollywood handicappers had been buzzing about $90M and then went to $94M, but Disney/Marvel’s ultra-superhit held up way better — falling just 54% in weekend two, per Comscore. Directed by Shawn Levy (FREE GUY) and starring Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman, it’s already done $924.1M worldwide. D&W, which reportedly cost $200M to produce, was sizzling at 4,230 theatres ($22,931).

Powered again by D&W, this weekend’s domestic marketplace totaled $169.9M, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, down 40.5% from the prior weekend and down 6% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $5.00B, down 16% from $5.99B in 2023. The previous weekend, 2024 was down 17% vs. 2023.

“July generated a whopping $1.2B,” Dergarabedian noted, “the first $1B plus month since July ’23 — also, the DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE opening week of July 26 – August 1 propelled the overall industry for all films in the marketplace to a whopping $418M in total box office, the biggest week of the year so far!”

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: This weekend’s two studio newcomers just helped exhibs sell more popcorn & candy than would have been the case.

WB’s PG-13 horror mystery TRAP, directed by M. Night Shayamalan, opened #3 in line with projections to $15.6M at 3,181 theatres ($4,904), per Comscore. It was tracking best for first choice with women over 25 (one point over norm) and next best with women under 25 (equal to norm).

Rotten Tomatoes critics hate it at 47% and audiences are a blah 63%.

Sony/Davis Entertainment’s PG animated comedy adventure HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON opened quietly in sixth place to $6M at 3,325 theatres ($1,805).

HAROLD is tracking below norm for first choice with all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics are a grim 28%, but audiences are cheering at 91%.

Universal/WB/Amblin Entertainment’s PG-13 action adventure thriller “TWISTERS” was #2 with $22.7M (-35%) in weekend three via Universal at 4,009 theatres ($5,650). TWISTERS, which reportedly cost $155M to produce, has done $195.6M domestic and $78.8M internationally via WB for a worldwide cume of $274.4M.

As for next weekend: D&W will be #1 again. Lionsgate’s PG-13 BORDERLANDS, based on the hit video game, stars Cate Blanchett & Kevin Hart. It’s opening at about 3,000 theatres and is tracking below norm for first choice with all demos. Hollywood handicappers are talking about a $20-25M opening.

Sony’s PG-13 rom-com IT ENDS WITH US, starring Blake Lively, is opening at about 3,200 theatres. It’s tracking best and equally well for first choice with women under & over 25 (each four points over norm). Hollywood buzz-ards expect a $25-35M opening.