Running head to head with Deadpool & Wolverine for a box office slice, It Ends With Us starring Blake Lively has outdone itself. Despite the overshadowing PR controversies involving director Justin Baldoni, the star, and the author, the film has certainly delivered on its promise of box office magic. Even with widespread criticism from fans, the cinema community, and the literary world, this romantic comedy, which inspired a floral trend, has now earned eight times its budget.

Following an impressive $80 million opening during its second weekend at the box office in August, audiences remain captivated by the promises of love and laughter. As a result, its global performance has been nothing short of jaw-dropping.

Blake Lively had always kept an eye on the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, but the PR drama surrounding the release of Sony's It Ends With Us seemed to dampen its prospects. However, after numerous challenges, the Lively-led film has defied the odds, grossing $204.4 million globally on a $25 million budget including Wednesday’s numbers. This achievement makes it the highest-grossing romantic drama since 2018's A Star Is Born starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

Lively, who faced backlash for "insensitive" PR from the literary sphere, appears to have unlocked the secret to box office success. From screening the movie for book influencers by leveraging Colleen Hoover's literary fanbase to navigating the drama between herself and director Justin Baldoni, everything has played a role in It Ends With Us's triumph. Despite predictions that her star power would wane because of the PR scandal, those forecasts have proven unfounded.

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This achievement not only highlights Blake Lively's celebrity appeal but also solidifies her status among the top celebrities of 2024.

As It Ends With Us continues to draw fans from around the globe to watch the romantic comedy of the year, the Blake Lively starrer film has become the biggest female-driven event of 2024. It has already surpassed the global lifetime earnings of other major female-driven films like The Lost City and The Girl on the Train. Out of the total global earnings of $204.4 million, $106.7 million comes from domestic markets, while $97.7 million is from international box office revenue.

The global milestone for Lively's films comes just after It Ends With Us surpassed $100 million at the box office earlier this week, achieving this within just 11 days. However, there are still box office gains to be made as several markets have yet to release the film. Italy debuted on Wednesday, while China, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, and Japan are still awaiting their premieres. As a result, It Ends With Us has plenty of opportunities to continue its box office success.

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What do you think of Blake Lively's It Ends With Us' over $200 million global earnings despite concerning PR drama? Let us know in the comments below!