The INSIDER Summary:
• "Logan" is the new R-rated "X-men" movie starring Hugh Jackman.
• It just broke the record for the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated movie in March.
• So far "Logan" ticket sales are estimated at $85.3 million.
Audiences came in droves over the weekend to see Hugh Jackman's final, and most dramatic, performance as Wolverine in "Logan."
The movie took in an estimated $85.3 million, according to Exhibitor Relations, setting the record for the biggest-ever R-rated opening weekend at the box office in March. The movie, a 20th Century Fox release, passes previous record-holder, "300," which opened at $70.8 million back in 2007.
With a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics gushed over the seriousness and long-awaited violence that suited the comic character. After the movie took in a hefty $33.1 million on Friday (plus $9.5 million in Thursday preview receipts), the movie then earned $31.2 million on Saturday — only a minuscule 6% dip in sales.
The $85.3 million weekend total is the 5th highest opening all-time for an R-rated movie, jumping over the 2015 release, "Fifty Shades of Grey" ($85.1 million).
Coming in second place is the Jordan Peele horror "Get Out," which followed its big $33 million opening weekend last week with a $26.1 million second week. That's just a 26% drop, an incredible hold for any movie, but even more so for a horror, which usually flatline after opening weekend.
"Get Out," released by Universal and produced by horror titan Blumhouse Productions, has earned close to $80 million to date in its theatrical run on a $4.5 million production budget.
