Fox's R-rated superhero movie "Deadpool" has led the North America box office for a record-breaking President's Day weekend on Sunday.
Featuring Ryan Reynolds, "Deadpool" debuted high atop the number one spot, according to studio data gathered by analysts at comScore. It was on track to gross 135 million U.S. dollars in the first three days of the four-day holiday weekend.
Opening at 3,558 locations, "Deadpool" set new all-time R-rated and February opening weekend records. It opened 47 percent ahead of the 91.8 million dollars 2003 debut of previous R-rated record holder "The Matrix Reloaded" and 58.5 percent ahead of the 85.2-million-dollar start of previous February and Presidents Day weekend record holder "Fifty Shades of Grey".
"Deadpool" was a hit on every level, data shows it was welcomed by both critics and audience. The film received 84 percent of critical approval on review aggregate site RottenTomatoes and an "A" from first-night moviegoers on CinemaScore. Industry predictor said it was on track to turn in a 150 million dollars four-day total.
"Kung Fu Panda 3" was in second place, in its third week of showing, with 19.7 million in estimated sales. The 3D family-friendly animated film has grossed 93.9 million dollars and it is projected to pass the 100 million dollars mark at the end of the four-day weekend.
"How to Be Single" took third with 18.8 million dollars. The story of New Yorkers dealing with single life opened at 3,343 locations and received a respectable "B" rating on CinemaScore and 47 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rounding out the rest top 10 films in the U.S. and Canada were "Zoolander 2" (15.7 million dollars), "The Revenant" (6. 9 million), "Hail, Caesar!" (6.6 million), "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (6.2 million), "The Choice" (5.3 million), "Ride Along 2" (4.1 million) and "The Boy" (2.9 million).
