“Michael” has moonwalked back to No. 1 at the domestic box office, earning a strong $26 million in its fourth weekend of release.
In a sign of its remarkable staying power, “Michael” towered over several more recent releases, such as “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Mortal Kombat II” as well as newcomers like the Focus Features horror film “Obsession,” Amazon MGM’s thriller “Is God Is” and Black Bear’s action adventure “In the Grey.”
So far, the Michael Jackson biopic has generated $283 million in North America and a staggering $703.8 million globally. It already ranks as the highest-grossing musical biopic in North America, outpacing 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($216 million). The Queen biopic is larger at the worldwide box office with $911 million, though “Michael” should eventually supplant that record, too.
Second place went to “The Devil Wears Prada 2” with $18 million from 3,830 venues in its third weekend of release. The star-studded sequel has generated $546.2 million in global ticket sales, including $175.9 million in North America and a massive $370 million internationally.
“Obsession” enjoyed the strongest start among new releases, landing in third place with $16 million from 2,615 theaters. Audiences and critics were enthusiastic, awarding the film an “A-” grade on CinemaScore exit polls and a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes — which bodes well for box office longevity. Opening weekend crowds were 59% male while 40% were between 25 and 34 years old. YouTube breakout and first-time director Curry Barker directed “Obsession,” which follows a hopeless romantic who makes a twisted Faustian bargain to win his crush’s heart. Focus acquired the R-rated thriller out of Toronto Film Festival for $14 million.
“Another weekend, another well-made, low-budget horror film over-performing at the box office,” notes David A. Gross, who publishes the box office newsletter FranchiseRe.
“In the Grey,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill and Eiza González, opened at No. 9 with a muted $3 million from 2,018 locations. Guy Ritchie directed the movie, which has lousy reviews (46% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a tepid audience reaction (“B” grade on CinemaScore). Like many of Ritchie’s films, including “The Gentleman” and “Wrath of Man,” the plot of “In the Grey” follows an an improbable heist mission.
“This start is well below average for [Ritchie],” says Gross. “Ritchie’s films often do well overseas with their British source material and characters, but we don’t see particularly strong foreign business here.”
Not far behind, “Is God Is” debuted in 10th place with $2.2 million from 1,510 theaters, a smaller footprint from other new releases. Aleshea Harris directed the R-rated film in her feature directorial debut and adapted the story from her 2018 play, which follows two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge. “Is God Is” holds a sterling 97% on Rotten Tomatoes as well as a solid “B+” grade on CinemaScore.
Elsewhere on domestic charts, “Mortal Kombat” tumbled to fourth place with $13.4 million from 3,534 theaters in its sophomore outing. Those ticket sales mark a sharp 65% drop from opening weekend. The Warner Bros. video game sequel has generated $62.2 million in North America and $101 million globally after two weekends of release. It cost $80 million to produce.
“Sheep Detective” rounded out the top five with $9.3 million from 3,554 screens in its second weekend, a decline of just 38% from its debut. The crowd-pleasing mystery has grossed $29.6 million in North America and $58.7 million worldwide against a $75 million budget.
Paramount’s concert film “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D),” which also opened last weekend, plunged to the No. 13 spot. Despite strong reviews, the movie earned a paltry $800,000 from 2,613 theaters in its sophomore outing, a harsh 88% decline from its soft $7.5 million start. Ticket sales stand at $9.2 million domestically and $25 million globally. “Hit Me Hard and Soft” was produced for $20 million through a partnership with Paramount and Interscope Records.
Enthusiasm is high as Hollywood and theater owners prepare for Disney’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which officially kicks off the summer season over Memorial Day holiday frame. That’s because several overperforming blockbusters, such as “Michael” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” as well as “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Project Hail Mary,” have propelled the overall box office 16% ahead of last year, according to Comscore.
