Audiences came in droves over the weekend to see Hugh Jackman’s final, and most dramatic, performance as Wolverine in “Logan.”

The movie took in an estimated $US85.3 million, according to Exhibitor Relations, setting the record for the biggest-ever R-rated opening weekend at the box office in March. The movie, a 20th Century Fox release, passes previous record-holder, “300,” which opened at $US70.8 million back in 2007.

With a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics gushed over the seriousness and long-awaited violence that suited the comic character. After the movie took in a hefty $US33.1 million on Friday (plus $US9.5 million in Thursday preview receipts), the movie then earned $US31.2 million on Saturday — only a minuscule 6% dip in sales.

The $US85.3 million weekend total is the 5th highest opening all-time for an R-rated movie, jumping over the 2015 release, “Fifty Shades of Grey” ($US85.1 million).

Coming in second place is the Jordan Peele horror “Get Out,” which followed its big $US33 million opening weekend last week with a $US26.1 million second week. That’s just a 26% drop, an incredible hold for any movie, but even more so for a horror, which usually flatline after opening weekend.

“Get Out,” released by Universal and produced by horror titan Blumhouse Productions, has earned close to $US80 million to date in its theatrical run on a $US4.5 million production budget.

Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.