We all know January is the worst month for releases but, like the groundhog, the movie industry sometimes doesn’t see it’s shadow and the box office shines bright on some pretty big and sometimes even game changing films. It appears Deadpool is one of those game changers as it dominated for 2 weeks straight at the box office and is shattering records left and right. The question about the success of Deadpool though is, is the movie as good as it’s box office indicates or is it reaping the benefits of great timing. How does Deadpool stack up against the 31 box office kings of February of the last 30 years? Here are all of the box office winners, ranked:
31. Jumper
Release Year: 2008
Domestic Box Office Haul: $80.2 million
Next Biggest Thing: Vantage Point ($72.3 million)
% of February Box Office: 12.1%
Tomatometer: 16%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 44%
Hayden Christensen’s post-Star Wars career has been pretty rough but he found box office success here. Too bad audiences hated it, critics loathed it and it’s box office numbers couldn’t cover the steep $85 million budget.
30. Fifty Shades of Grey
Release Year: 2015
Domestic Box Office Haul: $166.2 million
Next Biggest Thing: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water ($163.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 23.4%
Tomatometer: 25%
RT Audience Score: 41%
The soft-core pornographic novel turned watered down R-rated box office hit that fizzled in the eyes of critics. Despite the box office pull, the audience was underwhelmed but that hasn’t stopped the studio from making a sequel — Fifty Shades Darker — due to hit theaters in 2017.
29. Identity Thief
Release Year: 2013
Domestic Box Office Haul: $134.5 million
Next Biggest Thing: Safe Haven ($71.3 million)
% of February Box Office: 15.6%
Tomatometer: 19%
RT Audience Score: 53%
The entertainment equivalent of gout, Melissa McCarthy’s act only goes so far in this one. McCarthy partners with Jason Bateman in this one but the script is too cumbersome for the pair to overcome. The laughs are few and far between.
28. The Pink Panther
Release Year: 2006
Domestic Box Office Haul: $82.2 million
Next Biggest Thing: Eight Below ($81.6 million)
% of February Box Office: 15.4%
Tomatometer: 22%
RT Audience Score: 51%
One of the many unnecessary reboots we’ve been inundated with since we entered the 21st century. Although Beyoncé is in it… and she’s fierce!
27. Ghost Rider
Release Year: 2007
Domestic Box Office Haul: $115.8 million
Next Biggest Thing: Norbit ($95.7 million)
% of February Box Office: 18.6%
Tomatometer: 26%
RT Audience Score: 48%
Before Deadpool, Ghost Rider was the biggest comic book release in February. The two are similar as they both benefitted from excellent timing as there really wasn’t much competition for box office bucks in 2007. Where the two differ is in quality as Ghost Rider was a terrible comic book adaption.
26. Scream 3
Release Year: 2000
Domestic Box Office Haul: $89.1 million
Next Biggest Thing: Snow Day ($60.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 20.6%
Tomatometer: 36%
RT Audience Score: 38%
The Scream franchise was still a box office hit with the 3rd installment even though critics were less than thrilled and audiences weren’t overly kind (except with their wallets). It did well enough to squeeze out a Scream 4 though.
25. Just Go With It
Release Year: 2011
Domestic Box Office Haul: $103.0 million
Next Biggest Thing: Gnomeo and Juliet ($100.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 17.5%
Tomatometer: 19%
RT Audience Score: 59%
Adam Sandler fakes a bad marriage to Jennifer Aniston to try and win the affection of Brooklyn Decker. It’s as bad as it sounds. (I’d say “as dumb” but it has Sandler in it, so dumb is a prerequisite.)
24. Hard to Kill
Release Year: 1990
Domestic Box Office: $47.4 million
Next Biggest Thing: Madhouse ($21.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 28.9%
Tomatometer: 33%
RT Audience Score: 47%
Before Steven Seagal became a Louisiana deputy with his own reality show, he was an action star. How can you hate a movie featuring characters named Mason Storm, Jack Axel and a cop named O’Malley? (Hint: Watch it and it becomes a lot easier!)
23. Hannibal
Release Year: 2001
Domestic Box Office: $165.1 million
Next Biggest Thing: Down to Earth ($64.2 million)
% of February Box Office: 41.1%
Tomatometer: 39%
RT Audience Score: 62%
Of the five films featuring Hannibal Lechter, Hannibal was the biggest at the box office. While it was not as well received as The Silence of the Lambs (more on that later), Hannibal did well enough to spawn a prequel the very next year. While Anthony Hopkins reprised his role as Lechter, Jodie Foster chose to not return as Clarice Starling.
22. He’s Just Not That Into You
Release Year: 2009
Domestic Box Office: $94.0 million
Next Biggest Thing: Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail ($90.5 million)
% of February Box Office: 17.0%
Tomatometer: 40%
RT Audience Score: 59%
One of the few movies on this list to fully capitalize on the Valentine’s Day holiday, He’s Just Not That Into You features a star-studded ensemble cast — Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long — and all the sappiness you can handle (and maybe a little more). Critics didn’t even loathe it.
21. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Release Year: 1993
Domestic Box Office: $72.2 million
Next Biggest Thing: On Deadly Ground ($38.6 million)
% of February Box Office: 23.6%
Tomatometer: 45%
RT Audience Score: 57%
The movie that put Jim Carrey on the map as a theatrical force to be reckoned with, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was a box office smash despite a lukewarm critical reception. Dumb comedies have a way of pulling such a feat off, especially ones featuring Carrey.
20. Broken Arrow
Release Year: 2000
Domestic Box Office: $70.8 million
Next Biggest Thing: Happy Gilmore ($38.8 million)
% of February Box Office: 22.6%
Tomatometer: 53%
RT Audience Score: 44%
A fairly mediocre action flick by director John Woo featuring a post-Pulp Fiction John Travolta and still relevant (who, I guess is now relevant again thanks to Mr. Robot) Christian Slater. It wasn’t an award winner (although it was nominated for 2 MTV awards) but you’ll often find it on someone’s guilty pleasure list.
19. John Q
Release Year: 2002
Domestic Box Office: $71.8 million
Next Biggest Thing: Return to Never Land ($48.4 million)
% of February Box Office: 18.3%
Tomatometer: 23%
RT Audience Score: 78%
It isn’t Denzel Washington’s only film on the list and it wasn’t well received by critics but audiences loved the story of a desperate man holding a group of people hostage in a hospital in an effort to get his son the medical care he needs. While John Q is indeed heavy handed, Washington delivers the usual amazing performance.
18. The Brady Bunch Movie
Release Year: 1995
Domestic Box Office: $46.6 million
Next Biggest Thing: Just Cause ($36.9 million)
% of February Box Office: 22.4%
Tomatometer: 63%
RT Audience Score: 45%
The Brady Bunch Movie was a nostalgic homage to the quirky 70s sitcom and is done with light satire and wit. The film ties into it’s namesake with a number of cameos and references to specific episodes with many of the original cast members making appearances and, of course, Davy Jones. Isn’t he dreamy?
17. How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days
Release Year: 2003
Domestic Box Office: $105.8 million
Next Biggest Thing: Daredevil ($102.5 million)
% of February Box Office: 21.4%
Tomatometer: 42%
RT Audience Score: 77%
Maybe if Daredevil would have had an “R” rating, it wouldn’t have gotten it’s ass kicked by a Matthew McConaughey/Kate Hudson rom-com. It’s doubtful that would have done it as the McConaughey/Hudson rom-com was actually pretty good and the Ben Affleck comic book adaption was pretty bad. (Don’t worry Batman v. Superman, Ryan Reynolds made a few shitty comic book films before striking gold with Deadpool.)
16. Safe House
Release Year: 2012
Domestic Box Office: $126.4 million
Next Biggest Thing: The Vow ($125.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 15.6%
Tomatometer: 53%
RT Audience Score: 64%
You almost feel as if the Deadpool marketers did their homework as Ryan Reynolds (with the help of Denzel Washington) ruled the box office over a strong Valentine’s Day release (The Vow), a comic book sequel (Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance), The Rock (Journey 2: Mysterious Island) and some recycled Star Wars (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 3D).
15. Payback
Release Year: 1999
Domestic Box Office: $81.5 million
Next Biggest Thing: Message In A Bottle ($52.9 million)
% of February Box Office: 24.7%
Tomatometer: 54%
RT Audience Score: 69%
There’s a much different director’s cut of Payback that is 11 minutes shorter, features no narration by Mel Gibson’s character Porter and the voice of Sally Kellerman replacing Kris Kristofferson. If that isn’t vague enough to get you to want to see both, I don’t know what will.
14. Hitch
Release Year: 2005
Domestic Box Office: $179.5 million
Next Biggest Thing: Constantine ($76.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 34.8%
Tomatometer: 69%
RT Audience Score: 67%
In this Sci-Fi thriller, Hitch stars Will Smith as a magic shaman who puts a spell on Amber Valletta to fall in love with Kevin James. Okay, not really. It’s your standard February rom-com with “date doctor” Smith’s transformation from manipulator to a more understanding and honest man in the hope of winning over Eva Mendes but, really, who the hell is buying Kevin James and Amber Valletta?
13. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
Release Year: 1987
Domestic Box Office: $44.8 million
Next Biggest Thing: Mannequin ($42.7 million)
% of February Box Office: 24.1%
Tomatometer: 74%
RT Audience Score: 67%
Even Wes Craven couldn’t kill Freddy. Craven never intended A Nightmare on Elm Street to be a franchise and refused to participate in the second incarnation. He returned for the third installment in an effort to put the series to rest but that didn’t happen as the movie had box office success and was praised both critically and by audiences. His original idea for the third installment (with Freddy invading the “real world”) later became Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and was also a fairly big hit.
12. Shutter Island
Release Year: 2010
Domestic Box Office: $128.0 million
Next Biggest Thing: Valentine’s Day ($110.5 million)
% of February Box Office: 21.2%
Tomatometer: 68%
RT Audience Score: 76%
How can you go wrong with a Martin Scorsese directed, Leonardo DiCaprio film? Shutter Island wasn’t an award winning film but was Scorsese’s biggest box office success outside of The Departed (another Scorsese/DiCaprio collaboration). As for Leo? At least Shutter Island made his top 10.
11. The Wedding Singer
Release Year: 1998
Domestic Box Office: $80.2 million
Next Biggest Thing: Sphere ($37.0 million)
% of February Box Office: 34.2%
Tomatometer: 67%
RT Audience Score: 80%
February ’98 wasn’t a banner year for movies but that’s not to dismiss the success or quality of The Wedding Singer. It’s one of Sandler’s earlier (usually meaning better) films and features a charming pairing with Drew Barrymore (previously appearing on the list in 2009’s He’s Just Not That Into You). The movie spawned two soundtracks and features another dozen or so songs that didn’t make either cut. Guess they had to make room for some mediocre Sandler original songs.
10. Shoot to Kill (Deadly Pursuit)
Release Year: 1988
Domestic Box Office: $29.3 million
Next Biggest Thing: Action Jackson ($20.2 million)
% of February Box Office: 17.2%
Tomatometer: 100%
RT Audience Score: 64%
As a 12 year-old at the time of the release of Shoot to Kill, I chose to see Action Jackson instead. Later, when I started working in a video store, I passed on Shoot to Kill to see School Daze. As for the quality of the film, I’ll rely on the 100% Tomatometer score and the reliable presence of the great Sidney Poitier as evidence. (I’d still choose to watch Action Jackson or School Daze, though.)
9. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Release Year: 1989
Domestic Box Office: $40.5 million
Next Biggest Thing: The ‘Burbs ($36.6 million)
% of February Box Office: 21.5%
Tomatometer: 79%
RT Audience Score: 75%
The influence Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure has had over the years is evident and the concept has been both paid homage to and ripped off numerous times since the release of this ’89 film. There was a sequel and a rumored follow up that never came to fruition plus an animated series, a short-lived TV series, comics, video games and a Halloween feature at Universal Studios. Keanu Reeves took the ball and ran with it after Bill & Ted, also. The same can’t be said for Alex Winter. As a side note, I directly blame Bill & Ted’s success on the eventual release of Hot Tub Time Machine.
8. Pretty in Pink
Release Year: 1986
Domestic Box Office: $40.5 million
Next Biggest Thing: Hannah and Her Sisters ($35.4 million)
% of February Box Office: 21.9%
Tomatometer: 79%
RT Audience Score: 81%
1986 was one of many good years for John Hughes who dominated February with Pretty in Pink and helmed another big hit with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I wouldn’t wager money on my ability to tell this one apart from Sixteen Candles if you gave me a quiz but they were both quality movies and very fitting for a February release.
7. The Passion of the Christ
Release Year: 2004
Domestic Box Office: $370.3 million
Next Biggest Thing: 50 First Dates ($120.9 million)
% of February Box Office: 47.8%
Tomatometer: 49%
RT Audience Score: 80%
When speaking of box office domination in February, Mel Gibson’s ultra-violent retelling of the Crucifixion has to be the bench mark to compare Deadpool to. In the end, the antihero could unseat The Passion as the biggest February release of all time but it’s more likely to take home a bigger share of the February box office as it currently holds 62% of the 2016 ticket sales and faces very little competition the rest of the way out unlike The Passion of the Christ which had to share the gate with 50 First Dates and a couple of minor hits in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and Miracle. Where Deadpool can’t compete with The Passion of the Christ is controversy as the Gibson directed faith-based tale was deemed anti-Semitic and unnecessarily violent by many.
6. Wayne’s World
Release Year: 1992
Domestic Box Office: $121.7 million
Next Biggest Thing: Medicine Man ($45.5 million)
% of February Box Office: 43.9%
Tomatometer: 85%
RT Audience Score: 85%
Wayne’s World? No way! Way! No way! Way! No way! Way! This SNL sketch turned big screen hit actually made the list of 500 nominated films for AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Laughs but did not make the final cut. Like Deadpool, Wayne’s World characters frequently breaks the fourth wall in this 1992 hit.
5. The LEGO Movie
Release Year: 2014
Domestic Box Office: $257.8 million
Next Biggest Thing: Non-Stop ($92.2 million)
% of February Box Office: 36.2%
Tomatometer: 96%
RT Audience Score: 87%
Despite being shunned by Oscar (unless you count Best Original Song but then we have to go all the way back to Fifty Shades of Grey if you do), The LEGO Movie won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.
4. Deadpool
Release Year: 2016
Domestic Box Office: $320.3 million (and counting)
Next Biggest Thing: How to Be Single ($44.5 million and counting)
% of February Box Office: 54.9%
Tomatometer: 83%
RT Audience Score: 94%
Deadpool would probably say “How the %&@(% am I not #1 on this list?” but even though it’s box office prowess is already legendary, Deadpool isn’t the best film to win the box office in February of the last 30 years. Sure, it’s funny and game changing due to it’s success despite it’s “R” rating but there was better, trust me. Oh, you don’t trust me? Here they are:
3. The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition)
Release Year: 1997
Domestic Box Office: $67.6 million
Next Biggest Thing: Dante’s Peak ($67.1 million)
% of February Box Office: 17.9%
Tomatometer: 94%
RT Audience Score: 97%
Wait a second! How fair is it to throw in a re-release of a Sci-Fi classic? Well, to be fair, this was the special edition of the original which is, technically, not a re-release. All things considered, a re-release 17 years after it’s initial run that pulls in over $60 million has to be recognized. Let’s see Deadpool try that in 2033.
2. Groundhog Day
Release Year: 1993
Domestic Box Office: $70.9 million
Next Biggest Thing: Sommersby ($50.1 million)
% of February Box Office: 21.4%
Tomatometer: 96%
RT Audience Score: 87%
Remember that list Wayne’s World failed to make? Groundhog Day ranked 34th on AFI’s 100 Movies, 100 Laughs list. Groundhog Day is Bill Murray’s best role and the movie is one of the most re-watchable films of all time which is ironic in it repeats the same day over and over again.
So, Deadpool is behind two films that didn’t gross $100 million at the box office, a re-release and a critically acclaimed comedy that couldn’t even muster up one Oscar nomination? Well, fine, how about this…
1. The Silence of the Lambs
Release Year: 1991
Domestic Box Office: $130.7 million
Next Biggest Thing: Sleeping With the Enemy ($101.6 million)
% of February Box Office: 37.0%
Tomatometer: 95%
RT Audience Score: 95%
I told you we’d get back to Hannibal Lechter. There has never been a more impressive performance by a February release than The Silence of the Lambs. Movies released in February just don’t get nominated for Best Picture and not only did The Silence of the Lambs get nominated, it won. It also won for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is consistently recognized on critic’s top lists, highly quotable, paved the way for a slew of sequels and prequels and even a network television show. Well, technically, it was the novel that did that but without the success of this film, there probably is no franchise.
Critical & audience data obtained from Rotten Tomatoes as of February 22nd. Box office data obtained from Box Office Mojo as of February 22nd.
My favorite movie on this list is Groundhog Day 🙂