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Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have achieved a feat unseen in over three decades. Their respective films, "It Ends With Us" and "Deadpool & Wolverine," secured the top two spots at the domestic box office, marking the first time a married couple has dominated the charts since 1990.
Industry analysts were taken aback by the performance of both films. "Deadpool & Wolverine," the latest installment in the Marvel franchise, continued its strong run with a $54 million haul, pushing its domestic total to an impressive $494.3 million since its July 26 release. This superhero crossover has become one of the most successful films in the post-pandemic era.
Even more surprising was the debut of "It Ends With Us," based on Colleen Hoover's novel. The mid-budget drama, which tackles the sensitive topic of domestic violence, surpassed expectations with a $50 million opening weekend. This result is particularly significant for Lively, who not only stars in but also produces the film.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, commented on the couple's achievement: "This is a testament to both their individual star power and their ability to choose compelling projects. It's incredibly rare to see a married couple dominate the box office like this."
The last time such a phenomenon occurred was in 1990 when Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, then married, topped the charts with "Die Hard 2" and "Ghost" respectively. Interestingly, "Ghost" went on to become the highest-grossing film of that year and received multiple Oscar nominations.
However, the success of "It Ends With Us" has not been without controversy. Online discussions have pointed to potential on-set tensions, with fans noting the absence of full cast photos at the premiere and director Justin Baldoni conducting solo press appearances. Additionally, Lively's revelation that Reynolds contributed to the script raised eyebrows, especially when screenwriter Christy Hall appeared unaware of this fact.
Despite these controversies, the film's success highlights the ongoing appeal of book-to-screen adaptations and the draw of star power. It also demonstrates the audience's willingness to engage with serious subject matter when presented thoughtfully.
