Your Presidents’ Day weekend is locked and loaded thanks to HBO. That’s because this weekend’s major movie premiere is Deadpool 2, the fast-paced and foul-mouthed follow-up to the raunchiest superhero movie of 2018 (and also the raunchiest movie of any other year that didn’t include a Deadpool movie). And because you may have missed Deadpool 2 in theaters, or didn’t know that Deadpool 2 is gonna be on HBO tonight, or didn’t know until right this very second that you’ll be able to stream Deadpool 2 on HBO Go and HBO Now starting tonight, here’s a post for you!

What is Deadpool 2?

Wow, this is a very broad question, but one I’m game for answering since I’ve been reading Deadpool comics since 1993. Deadpool 2, directed by Tim Miller and once again starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular merc with a mouth, is the follow-up to the long-anticipated and surprise blockbuster film Deadpool. Reynolds plays ol’ DP, a fast-talking mercenary with a heart of gold and mold, a guy that’ll do the right thing but take the wrong way there. His origin story is typically tragic for a character created in the ’90s: after getting diagnosed with cancer, hitman Wade Wilson underwent a whole lot of experimental procedures that left him cured of cancer and super-charged with a ridiculously powerful healing factor. The catch: his entire body is covered in scabby scar tissue, including his formerly very handsome Ryan Reynolds-shaped face. Now he wears a mask and kills people as Deadpool, every now and then opting to do the right thing and save the world (or something).

DEADPOOL 2, Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool
20th Century Fox Licensing/Merch

Okay, that’s who Deadpool is. What is Deadpool 2?

It’s the sequel! It’s even more of the super-violence and bad words and fourth-wall-breaking jokes! But this time around there are a whole lot more X-characters in the mix, most notably Josh Brolin as Cable and Zazie Beetz as Domino.

So who are Cable and Domino?

If you want an in-depth rundown of these two straight-up legendary characters, read this about Cable and this about Domino. If you just want the gist: Brolin plays Cable, a super buff and gruff soldier from the future with big biceps and even bigger guns. Beetz plays Domino, a wise-cracking cool AF woman with luck powers that make things just fall into place for her.

What time does Deadpool 2 debut on HBO?

Deadpool 2 debuts on HBO at 8 p.m. ET. Following that, you’ll be able to stream Deadpool 2using HBO Go or HBO Now starting on Sunday, February 17. If you missed the movie the first time around, and also the second time around when it was released on VOD, the third time around’s the charm!

Recommended for you