The newest entry into the MCU has grossed internationally over $1.14 billion. That is the most an R-rated movie has grossed by a mile. Joker, the second highest grossing R-Rated film worldwide, only brought in a little under $1.08 billion. 

The movie is the third in the Deadpool franchise, a series of increasingly absurd superhero comedies, with Deadpool breaking the 4th wall and commenting on the plot, pop culture and generally being a loudmouth comedic machine. 

Some of his antics from the previous films include pausing time to ask the audience if he left the stove on during a mid air car crash and in this film (not to spoil too much) dances to Bye Bye Baby by NSYNC while killing some bad guys.

The film has been received positively from critics and audiences, with many students that I have spoken to praising the film for its humor, its fan service, and its characters.

But how? How does an R-Rated goofball buddy comedy become so successful? I believe that it is because Deadpool and Wolverine have given the public something that not many superhero movies have been able to give in a while. A completely entertaining superhero experience. 

Superhero movies, especially the MCU, have been criticized for the over bloated lore and its dad joke style of humor. Deadpool and Wolverine however have flipped the script on the superhero formula.

It doesn’t drag itself down with its lore, it uses it, with Deadpool’s 4th wall breaking insanity, to riff and joke about the absurdity of the world. It is a hilarious film, not in spite of its baggage, but because of it.