Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Recreated a 34-Year-Old Box Office Feat

In the summer of 2024, Hollywood witnessed an unprecedented moment as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, one of its most celebrated couples, dominated the box office in a way that hadn’t been seen in decades.

With Reynolds’ Deadpool & Wolverine and Lively’s It Ends With Us both hitting theaters within two weeks of each other, their combined success became a noteworthy chapter in cinematic history.

As Reynolds’ film shattered records, earning an astounding $1.338 billion worldwide and claiming the title of the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever, Lively’s film opened strong with $50 million and eventually grossed $351 million against a modest $25 million budget.

However, the trajectory of their careers took a sharp turn as the dust settled on their respective successes, leading to a complex narrative filled with triumph and turmoil.

A Historic Box Office Moment

On the weekend of August 9–11, 2024, the North American box office was a testament to the star power of this Hollywood couple.

Deadpool & Wolverine held the No. 1 spot with a remarkable $54.2 million in its third weekend, crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide.

Right behind it, It Ends With Us debuted at No. 2 with its impressive $50 million opening.

This marked a significant milestone as it was the first time in 34 years that a husband and wife had occupied the top two spots at the box office.

The last duo to achieve this feat was Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in July 1990, when Die Hard 2 topped the charts while Moore’s Ghost debuted in second place.

Interestingly, history repeated itself as Moore’s film ultimately finished as the highest-grossing film of 1990.

Behind the Camera: A Unique Collaboration

What made the 2024 box office showdown even more intriguing was that both Reynolds and Lively were not just stars in their films; they were also heavily involved behind the scenes.

Reynolds produced Deadpool & Wolverine and contributed as a credited writer, while Lively took on a producing role for It Ends With Us.

However, the collaboration took a controversial turn when Reynolds was reportedly involved in writing a scene for Lively’s film, adding an unexpected twist to their professional relationship.

The Aftermath: Legal Battles and Career Impacts

Despite their initial successes, the trajectory of Lively’s career took a downturn following the release of It Ends With Us.

The film became embroiled in a legal battle between Lively and her director and co-star, Justin Baldoni.

As the controversy unfolded, it overshadowed the film’s success and became a case file rather than a celebrated cinematic achievement.

While Deadpool & Wolverine remained a fun rewatch, It Ends With Us became synonymous with the legal strife that followed its release.

Lively’s next project, Another Simple Favor, premiered at SXSW in March 2025 and landed on Prime Video on May 1, 2025.

However, the film received poor reviews, with a 59% critics score and a dismal 35% audience score, despite topping Prime Video’s charts in its opening days.

A New Direction for Lively

In August 2025, Lively announced her first newly booked role in The Survival List, an action rom-com she stars in and produces alongside Wicked producer Marc Platt.

Written by Tom Melia, the film casts Lively as a reality TV producer stranded on an island with a survival expert who turns out to be a fraud.

However, as of now, details regarding the director, co-star, or release date remain unconfirmed.

In May 2026, Lively settled with Wayfarer Studios just weeks before the trial, effectively putting the follow-up to It Ends With Us off the table.

Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel on which the film was based, also distanced herself from the controversy, stating she has no intention of turning the sequel, It Starts With Us, into a movie.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the contrasting paths of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively following their summer of success, it is clear that the legal battles surrounding It Ends With Us have had a significant impact on Lively’s career trajectory.

While Reynolds continues to bask in the glory of his blockbuster success, Lively faces the challenge of rebuilding her career in the wake of controversy.

As audiences, we’re left to ponder: Which film did you enjoy more in theaters?

Let us know in the comments below!

For those interested in catching up on these films, Deadpool & Wolverine is now available for streaming on Disney+, while It Ends With Us can be streamed on Hulu and Fubo.

In the end, the summer of 2024 will be remembered not just for the box office triumphs of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, but also for the complex narrative that unfolded behind the scenes, reminding us that the world of Hollywood is as unpredictable as it is captivating.

Disclaimer: This content may be created by Al for entertainment purposes. Any resemblance to real persons, events, or places is coincidental.