Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have achieved a remarkable feat at the box office, each with their own wildly different films captivating audiences worldwide. Marvel Studios and Disney's "Deadpool & Wolverine" continues to dominate the North American chart, grossing an impressive $54.2 million in its third weekend and surpassing the coveted $1 billion mark globally. The record-breaking blockbuster has earned an estimated $494.3 million domestically and $535.2 million overseas, amassing a staggering worldwide total of $1.029 billion. The film is poised to soon surpass "Joker" as the top-grossing R-rated film of all time at the global box office.

Simultaneously, Sony's new female-led film "It Ends With Us," starring and produced by Blake Lively, secured an impressive second place at the box office with an estimated $50 million in earnings. This exceeded initial expectations, as industry experts projected an opening around $23 million. The adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel resonated strongly with audiences, garnering an A-CinemaScore and an impressive 95 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its success highlights the pent-up demand for women-centric stories on the big screen.

The combination of these two films has significantly contributed to the August box office, with overall domestic revenue expected to soar 35 percent higher than the same weekend last year. Notably, this weekend's earnings are also 19 percent ahead of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Furthermore, these consecutive $50 million-plus openings mark the first time such achievements have occurred in August.

The female-powered drama "It Ends With Us" clearly resonated with its target audience, as 84 percent of ticket buyers were women across all adult age groups. Among them, 60 percent were between the ages of 18 and 34, while 33 percent were 35 years and older. The film's appeal also extended to a diverse audience.

"It Ends With Us" follows Blake Lively's character, Lily Bloom, as she overcomes a traumatic past to pursue her dream of opening a business in Boston. A chance encounter with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni, ignites a passionate connection. However, as their love deepens, Lily discovers unsettling similarities between Ryle and her own parents' relationship. The unexpected reentry of Lily's first love, Atlas Corrigan (played by Brandon Sklenar), further complicates her already tumultuous relationship with Ryle, forcing her to rely on her inner strength to make an impossible choice for her future. The film, directed by Justin Baldoni, was produced with a modest budget of $25 million.

Insiders have dismissed the notion of a showdown between Reynolds and Lively's films. Instead, Reynolds, known for his marketing prowess, strategically aimed for a "Barbenheimer moment" where both films would capture the audience's attention simultaneously. The couple has supported each other's projects in significant ways, even attending each other's premieres. It is worth noting that "It Ends With Us" was initially set for a June release but was pushed back to August, likely influenced by Lively's role as a producer.

In contrast, Lionsgate's highly anticipated "Borderlands" stumbled at the box office with a disappointing opening of $8.8 million. The star-studded video game adaptation, helmed by acclaimed director Eli Roth and featuring an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, and Florian Munbteanu, fell short of muted projections. Critics and audiences alike criticized the film, resulting in a D+ rating for its screenplay. However, Lionsgate hopes to mitigate their losses by selling off international rights.

Overall, the combined success of "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "It Ends With Us" has significantly bolstered the August box office, exceeding expectations and revitalizing the film industry post-pandemic. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds showcase their versatility as actors and continue to make waves both individually and together as powerhouses in the entertainment industry.