"Deadpool" had a huge showing at the box office, becoming the latest film to prove that the early months of the year can be as important as the summer and winter for tentpoles.

For years, the studios have followed a system by launching major films in two distinct time periods. The first slate starts hitting theaters during the first weekend of May. This is known as the summer slate. Major franchises are usually unleashed during this period, with "Captain America: Civil War" being the first film set to kick off that season this year. Some of the highest grossing films of all time have come out during that time period, which runs through the first weeks of August, when releases become less prominent as studios gear up for awards season in late September.

The second major season starts around Thanksgiving and features more tentpole films. Last year, "Spectre," "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" hit theaters during this final period. "Avatar" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the two highest grossing films ever, were both released in the late winter months.

January through April has traditionally been the dumping grounds for films that are neither awards fare nor blockbuster tentpoles. Critically lambasted material generally goes to theaters during this time period, as the awards contenders make final rounds in theaters and the industry looks to the Oscars.

But over the last few years, studios have seen this gap as an opportunity to release some of their best material. A year ago, the first "Fifty Shades of Grey" hit theaters during Valentine's Day weekend, breaking records with an opening weekend gross of $87 million. The film was a huge box office success, feasting on the lack of major offerings in cinemas.

In 2012, the first "Hunger Games" film struck gold when it was released in March. A major franchise based on a popular book is not usually released in March, but this film was a huge success, allowing for the release of subsequent films. While the other three films in the franchise saw winter releases, the first installment managed to be the second highest grossing in the series domestically, bringing in over $400 million.

This year, however, saw something that few anticipated: a film breaking records in February. "Deadpool," at $135 million, saw the highest grossing opening weekend in February. It also became the highest grossing opening weekend for an R-rated film ever. And it is now the 17th highest grossing opening weekend in film history. With the exception of the first "Hunger Games," which opened with $152 million in March, no other film above "Deadpool" on the list opened before May.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" hits theaters next month, and if that film has just as fantastic an opening weekend, then it may not be surprising if viewers start seeing major franchises launch material in the dead of winter. Afterall, with minimal competition, this might be the time for the companies to unleash their major products and monopolize the box office for a few months.

For the next three or so weeks, "Deadpool" has no major competition on this scale. No other film being released in the weeks leading up to March 15, when "Divergent: Allegiant" launches, will have the marketing muscle to match the comicbook film.

Of course, this could eventually lead to companies duking it out for the season, but that would also free up the summer's often bloated lineup.

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