Topline
The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” returned to the top of the domestic box office rankings four weeks after its debut, according to early numbers reported by the Hollywood trade publications, as the smash hit surpasses a worldwide gross of $700 million and approaches the record for biggest total gross from a music biopic set by “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 2018.
“Michael” has now grossed $703 million worldwide, approaching the $911 million record set by “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 2018.
FilmMagic
Key Facts
“Michael” grossed another $26.1 million at North American theaters over the weekend, coming out ahead of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” after the sequel dominated the box office two weeks in a row.
The Michael Jackson biopic previously broke records for biggest opening for a music biopic after it grossed about $97.2 million in April.
“Michael” has now grossed over $280 million at North American theaters and $703 million worldwide.
It remains to be seen if “Michael” can keep getting viewers to theaters to challenge the record for best box office performance by any music biopic—held by the Freddie Mercury-inspired biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” which grossed $911 million worldwide in 2018.
“Michael” has yet to open in at least one major market—Japan, where the movie is scheduled to debut in June.
Surprising Fact
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” had another big weekend, grossing about $18 million at the domestic box office. The sequel to the 2006 film starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci opened with about $77 million and grossed another $41.6 million over its second weekend in theaters, topping $175 million in North America and approaching a global gross of $550 million.
What Else Performed Well At The Box Office This Weekend?
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” took second place after leading for two weeks in a row. Third place went to “Obsession,” the Focus Features-distributed horror film that debuted on the festival circuit last year. Directed by former YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker, the film opened at 2,615 North American theaters to gross about $16 million. “Mortal Kombat II” came in fourth place with about $13.4 million for its second weekend, after opening with $38 million last weekend. “The Sheep Detectives,” a Hugh Jackman-helmed comedy distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, rounded out the top five after bringing in $9.3 million in North America.