LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Superhero movie Deadpool dominated the North American box office on its debut weekend, taking in a record breaking US$135 million (S$188.7 million) and leaving its competitors in the dust, industry estimates showed on Sunday (Feb 14).

Starring Ryan Reynolds as a Marvel Comics character, the film's blow out reception in cinemas propelled it to the biggest-ever February and R-rated debut, said Mr Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at comScore.

With Monday being a public holiday in the United States, Mr Dergarabedian predicted the Fox production's initial haul could climb to a "mind-boggling US$150 million". Far behind in second place was Kung Fu Panda 3 - Dreamworks' computer-animated comedy that follows the adventures of Po as he evolves from martial arts student to teacher - which took in US$19.7 million, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

Featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie, it has garnered US$93 million since its release.

Also making its debut - in third place - was How To Be Single, a comedy about solo life set in New York City starring Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson and Leslie Mann.

It saw US$18.8 million in ticket sales over Valentine's Day weekend.

Fourth place went to fellow new release Zoolander 2, which snagged US$15.7 million.

Starring, directed and co-written by Ben Stiller, the comedy that dips into the fashion world also features Penelope Cruz and Owen Wilson.

Coming in fifth was The Revenant, a grisly survival and revenge thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The critically acclaimed film, which has been showered with Oscar nominations, took in US$6.9 million.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

- Hail, Caesar!, US$6.6 million

- Star Wars: The Force Awakens, US$6.2 million

- The Choice, US$5.3 million

- Ride Along 2, US$4.1 million

- The Boy, US$2.9 million.