Logan tore into the weekend box office, opening to a massive $85.3 million and proving that moviegoers will show up in force for R-rated comic book films. The superhero spin-off marks Hugh Jackman’s last turn as Wolverine after 17 years of donning the adamantium claws.

As the film industry grows more saturated with stories about costumed vigilantes, studios are trying to find ways to differentiate their own comic book adaptations. Like Deadpool before it, Logan demonstrates that adults will turn out for tentpole fare that is bloodier and more profane than your average X-Men film.

Logan was produced by 20th Century Fox and cost $97 million to make. Set in the near future, it follows Wolverine and an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart), who leave their hiding place on the Mexican border to help a young mutant (Dafne Keen).

A comic book film with bite

James Mangold, who previously collaborated with Jackman on 2013’s The Wolverine, directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay. Critics embraced the film, hailing it as a comic book film with bite, with Variety’s Owen Gleiberman writing that Logan “[...] brings the saga to a satisfying finish”.

Despite Logan’s dominance, Blumhouse and Universal’s Get Out kept going strong. The low-budget thriller racked up $26.1 million, bringing its domestic haul to $75.9 million. That’s an impressive return for a film that cost less than $5 million to make.

Lionsgate’s The Shack took third place, earning a solid $16.1 million in its first weekend in theatres. The faith-based drama stars Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer and cost $26 million to produce. The Shack centres on a man (Sam Worthington) whose religious beliefs are tested following a family tragedy.

Warner Bros’ The Lego Batman Movie and Lionsgate’s John Wick: Chapter 2 rounded out the top five, earning $11.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively. That pushes the Lego spin-off’s box office total to $148.6 million and gives the John Wick follow-up a domestic gross of $83 million.