July 28 (Reuters) - Marvel's raunchy and violent

"Deadpool & Wolverine" lit up box offices over the weekend with

$205 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales, the biggest

domestic opening of the year, distributor Walt Disney ( DIS )

said on Sunday.

The returns set a record for an R-rated film and topped the

$154.2 million collected by another Disney ( DIS ) film, the animated

Pixar movie "Inside Out 2," when it debuted in June.

"Deadpool & Wolverine," the first R-rated Marvel film by

Disney ( DIS ), stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, a character known for

sexually explicit jokes, swearing and violence. Hugh Jackman

plays Wolverine, a sharp-clawed mutant.

The movie opened in international markets on Wednesday

and has brought in $233.3 million outside of the U.S. and

Canada, Disney ( DIS ) said.

It is the second straight hit for Disney ( DIS ), which is

rebounding from lackluster performances in 2023 for movies such

as "The Marvels" and "Haunted Mansion."

The films have helped cinema chains such as AMC

Entertainment ( AMC ), Cineworld and Cinemark

that are grappling with a thin film slate in 2024. Several major

titles were delayed because of strikes last year by Hollywood

actors and writers.