‘Michael’ Reclaims the Top Box Office Spot in Its 4th Weekend

Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” ranked No. 1 at the North American box office, two weeks after “The Devil Wears Prada 2” with $26.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates on Sunday.

The Lionsgate film is in rare territory, grossing $703.9 million worldwide and counting. It still has a way to go to surpass “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the current champion of musical biopics. The film Queen grossed over $910.8 million worldwide.

Several newcomers also joined this weekend, including relationship horror movie “Obsession,” Guy Ritchie’s action movie “In the Grey” and revenge epic “Is God Is,” but those left behind continued to draw the biggest crowds. Power dynamics are set to change when “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theaters next weekend.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2”, produced by Disney and 20th Century Studios, ranked second with $18 million in its third weekend, while its domestic gross reached $175.9 million and its worldwide earnings reached $546.2 million.

“Obsession” topped newcomers, exceeding expectations with an estimated $16.1 million from 2,615 theaters. YouTube trailblazer Curry Barker wrote and directed this thriller about a hopeless romantic who gets more than he bargained for when his crush reciprocates his love. The film received positive reviews from both critics (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (A- CinemaScore). Perhaps more notable is that Barker made the film for $750,000. Focus Properties bought the film from the Toronto International Film Festival last fall for about $15 million.

Lisa Bunnell, president of domestic distribution for Focus Features, attributed some of “Obsession’s” success to audiences wanting fresh, original voices in movies. It’s also spreading by word of mouth, with younger viewers making plans to return with friends. Horror movies don’t usually achieve A-range CinemaScores, but “Obsession” fits in well with another recent hit, “Weapons.” “I expect a really strong hold,” Bunnell said.

“Mortal Kombat II,” which ranked fourth at the box office this weekend, dropped 65% in domestic ticket sales to $13.4 million in its second weekend. It earned $101.2 million in revenue from 80 markets worldwide.

Amazon MGM Studios had three films in the top 10; among them, “The Sheep Detectives” is in fifth place, “Project Hail Mary” is in seventh place, and “Is God Is” is in the top 10.

“The Sheep Detectives” experienced a slight 33% decrease from its first weekend and earned an additional $10.2 million, bringing its total to $30.5 million. “Project Hail Mary,” which can now be rented or purchased at home, brought in another $3.4 million in its ninth weekend in theaters. Aleshea Harris’s adaptation of the Obie-winning play, about twin sisters (Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on their quest to find and kill their abusive father, grossed $2.2 million in its first weekend in theaters. It has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Meanwhile, action movie “In the Grey,” released by Black Bear, grossed $3 million from 2,018 locations. The film, about a team of elite agents on an impossible mission, stars Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González. It currently holds a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore.

There were also several high-profile re-releases in theaters this weekend, including “Top Gun” which grossed $3.1 million and “Shrek” which grossed $1.3 million.

Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of market trends, noted that “Prada,” “Michael” and “Top Gun” were in the top 10 and “nostalgia is on full display.”

“What’s old is new again, and audiences clearly love it,” he said.

Top 10 movies according to domestic box office

This list, along with final domestic numbers released Monday, includes estimated ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters from Friday through Sunday, according to Comscore:

1. “Michael,” $26.1 million.

2. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” $18 million.

3. “Obsession,” $16.1 million.

4. “Mortal Kombat II,” $13.4 million.

5. “Sheep Detectives” $9.3 million.

6. “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” $4.5 million.

7. “Project Hail Mary” $3.9 million.

8. “Top Gun” 40th Anniversary, $3.1 million.

9. “Grey” $3 million.

10. “God Exists,” $2.2 million.