12 Movies In 2016 That Should Have Flopped (But Didn't)
9. Deadpool
Despite a strong fan base the foul-mouthed, wise-cracking anti-superhero had a few hurdles to jump making the transition from comic books to film. In development hell for more than a decade and facing criticism after a disappointing debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, even when Deadpool officially got the greenlight the movie endured further obstacles including cuts to its already small budget. But thanks to the efforts of director Tim Miller, star Ryan Reynolds and Co the movie was eventually made and went on to be one of the 2016’s biggest box office surprises.
Currently ranking as the seventh highest grossing film of the year with a worldwide gross of $782.6 million, it may not have been quite as successful as the biggest blockbuster Captain America: Civil War but comparing Deadpool’s relatively modest budget of $58 million to Civil War’s $250 million it’s quite the feat. Staying true to the violence-prone, profanity-ridden essence of the Deadpool character didn’t hurt either and though it’s by no means the first superhero movie to venture into R-rated territory it’s definitely the most successful and a refreshing game-changer amidst the glut of more wholesome, PG-13 comic book movies.