After nearly a decade of development, Deadpool has returned in a new solo movie that's so good, it's making fans forget about the Merc with the Sewn-Up Mouth from X-Men Origins (2009). While it's only the opening weekend for the film, there are already discussions around Deadpool (2016) breaking box office records, both domestically and abroad.

Because of his profanity-filled antics and violent anti-hero tendencies, Deadpool might seem like the antithesis of Valentine's Day. His origin story garnered an R-rating from the MPAA for "strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity," making some think it's not really "first date" material. However, Deadpool's production, story, and characters have more to do with Valentine's Day than meets the eye. Plus, do you really want to see How to Be Single (2016)?

If you need help convincing your significant other to see Deadpool this weekend, look no further. Here are the 10 Reasons Why Deadpool Is The Perfect Valentine's Day Movie

10. It's a Love Story

Turns out, the production team of Deadpool is in on the joke. With an opening over Valentine's Day weekend, they embraced the idea of romance and love in their publicity. Some posters and billboards make Deadpool look like a romantic comedy that would be the perfect date movie. Additionally, Deadpool appeared on a television spot on The Bachelor calling his film "a love story."

The publicity for Deadpool has been repeatedly praised, because it captures both the humor of the movie and embraces the concept that the character of Deadpool breaks the fourth wall. The marketing team unleashed Deadpool on the world, and the results were spectacular.

9. Boy Meets Girl

Then again, the "mock" publicity for the film might not be too far off. The film begins with Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) meeting a call girl with sailor's mouth and a heart of gold, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Wade and Vanessa's romance ends up being a catalyst for the later events of the film, and their relationship is an important part of Deadpool's origin story.

Of course, the film's interpretation of the trope "boy meets girl" spirals out of control, and in many ways, the portrayal of Wade and Vanessa's relationship is unconventional, but at the end of the day, Deadpool wasn't lying: the film is actually a love story.

8. Bloody Valentine

Valentine's Day today is synonymous with chocolate, flowers, and other capitalist symbols of intimacy and affection. However, the day's name comes from the Roman martyr St. Valentine. The story goes that St. Valentine performed Christian marriages in secret, which upset the Emperor Claudius II.

When you upset a Roman Emperor, usually things don't end well, and Valentine was sentenced to a three-part execution: beating, stoning, and finally (spoilers) beheading. The holiday commemorates him as the patron saint of lovers, but his origin story has more in common with Deadpool than Hallmark.

7. It's a Labor of Love

Deadpool's production history is troubled - the first discussion of a Deadpool film can be traced back to as early as 2000. The first time Ryan Reynolds' name was attached to the production was 2004. A series of directors and producers were attached to the project, but the film faced a number of setbacks. It wasn't until 2014, after fans reacted positively to leaked footage of Reynolds as Deadpool, that Fox greenlit the project. Reynolds attributes that leak for getting the film funded.

The project's budget was smaller than most superhero movies, but both Reynolds and director Tim Miller have said that the smaller budget also gave them greater creative control over the film. Both Miller and Reynolds consider themselves Deadpool fans, and worked to make sure that the film was for Deadpool fans. Without their devotion to the project, it would probably still be in development hell.

6. Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds has starred in a variety of different movie genres, but he has yet to separate himself from his image as a heartthrob star of romantic comedies, such as Just Friends (2005), Definitely, Maybe (2008), and The Proposal (2009). His track record for comic book movies - including X-Men: Origins (2009), Green Lantern (2011), and R.I.P.D. (2013) - is not nearly as good, but he's the ideal lead for any Valentine's Day movie.

Reynolds is in many ways the reason why the Deadpool movie exists. He has been a continuous advocate for the project. Surprisingly, his leading man looks are responsible for this in a way - he was first introduced to Deadpool and shortly became a fan after learning that Deadpool describes his own appearance as "Ryan Reynolds crossed with a Shar Pei."

5. Love For All

Deadpool has never been one to conform. In the comics, Deadpool is pansexual, meaning that he is attracted to all genders and sexual identities. Gender doesn't matter to Deadpool - for him, love is love (and lust is lust).

While his main squeeze in the first Deadpool movie is a woman, the producers, writers, and stars have said that the cinematic Deadpool is pansexual and that was taken into account in the production of the film. Ryan Reynolds even went as far to say that he hopes that Deadpool has a boyfriend in the future. If that isn't romantic, then what is?

4. The Critics Love It

The film has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics thus far, including Screen Rant's own review. Currently holding an 84% Certified Fresh Rating from Rotten Tomatoes, it's one of the highest rated films on the site that is currently in theaters.

Critics aren't the only ones who loved the movie. One of the film's most impressive endorsements comes in the form of an exceptionally positive review from actress Betty White. The 94-year-old White calls Deadpool the best picture of the year, gives it four Golden Girls (which we can only assume is the highest possible rating), and praises Ryan Reynolds' leather costume.

3. It Has the Violence of a Horror Movie

Deadpool is a rare exception to the PG-13 superhero movie, and it wears its R-rating as a badge of pride. It is unflinching in its gore and violence.

This might sound like the exact reason why it wouldn't be a good Valentine's Day movie, but it's actually an asset. After all, romantic comedies aren't the only popular date movies. In fact, one of the most popular genres to watch with a partner is horror, which typically features R-rated violence and suspense. After all, it's the perfect excuse to get closer to a partner when something scary happens. With that in mind, is Deadpool really out of the realm of possibility?

2. And That's Not the Only Action

Deadpool is already projected to beat the previous record holder, Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), for highest grossing film for the month of February. Last year, Fifty Shades of Grey held the same Valentine's Day opening weekend, and it pushed the boundaries of what a Valentine's Day movie might dare to show on the screen.

Deadpool, without hesitation, matches Fifty Shades of Grey. It features its own raunchy and kinky sex scenes, showing both full-frontal nudity and bedroom taboos. And while Deadpool might not be the most romantic movie, it is without a doubt more romantic than Fifty Shades.

1. Something for Everyone (except children)

Deadpool might be a surprising choice for Valentine's Day, but it will make a lot of different people with a lot of different tastes happy. The film is genre-defying, and reimagines what a superhero movie - and what a superhero - is supposed to be. Of course, fans of the superhero genre will love its fast-paced action sequences and ensemble cast of powerful allies and enemies. But it's also hilarious, a lambasting reinvention of the well-worn "origin" story, balancing irreverent fun with complete sincerity.

Deadpool is unapologetically itself. So, leave the kids at home (seriously) and spend night at the movies with the Merc with the Mouth. It will definitely make for a, well, memorable Valentine's Day.

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Deadpool is now in theaters, followed by X-Men: Apocalypse on May 27, 2016; Gambit sometime in 2017; Wolverine 3 on March 3, 2017; and an unannounced X-Men film on July 13, 2018. The New Mutants is also in development.

What's your favorite unconventional Valentine's Day movie? Tell us in the comments!