After two weeks trailing “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the North American box office with US$26.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The Lionsgate movie is in rarefied territory, having brought in US$703.9 million worldwide and counting. It still has a way to go to surpass the current reigning champion of musical biopics: “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The Queen movie grossed over US$910.8 million worldwide.
There were also several newcomers in the mix this weekend, including the relationship horror movie “Obsession,” the Guy Ritchie action pic “In the Grey” and the revenge saga “Is God Is,” but the holdovers continued to draw the largest crowds. The power dynamics are poised to shift when “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theatres next weekend.
Disney and 20th Century Studios’ “The Devil Wears Prada 2” took second place in its third weekend with US$18 million, bringing its domestic total to US$175.9 million and worldwide earnings to US$546.2 million.
“Obsession” topped the newcomers, exceeding expectations with an estimated US$16.1 million from 2,615 theatres. YouTube breakout Curry Barker wrote and directed the thriller in which a hopeless romantic gets more than he bargained for when his crush returns his affections. The film received positive reviews from both critics (94 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (A- CinemaScore). Perhaps more notable is that Barker made the film for US$750,000. Focus Features acquired it out of the Toronto International Film Festival last fall for around US$15 million.
Lisa Bunnell, president of domestic distribution for Focus Features, attributed some of “Obsession’s” success to audiences craving fresh, original voices at the movies. It’s also getting an infusion by word-of-mouth, with younger audiences making plans to go back with friends. Horror movies don’t often get CinemaScores in the A- range, but “Obsession” is in good company with another recent hit: “Weapons.”
“I’m expecting a really strong holdover,” Bunnell said.
Fourth place at the box office this weekend went to “Mortal Kombat II,” which fell 65 per cenr in its second weekend to US$13.4 million in domestic ticket sales. Globally, it has made US$101.2 million from 80 markets.
Amazon MGM Studios had three movies in the top 10, including “The Sheep Detectives” in fifth place, “Project Hail Mary” in seventh place and “Is God Is” rounding out the top 10.
“The Sheep Detectives” enjoyed a slim 33 per cent drop from its first weekend, taking in an additional US$10.2 million and bringing its running total to US$30.5 million. “Project Hail Mary,” which is now available to rent or buy at home, brought in another US$3.4 million in its ninth weekend in theatres. “Is God Is,” Aleshea Harris’s adaptation of her Obie-winning play about twin sisters ( Kara Young and Mallori Johnson ) on a quest to find and kill their abusive father made US$2.2 million in its first weekend in theatres. It has a 97 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Meanwhile, the action caper “In the Grey,” released by Black Bear, made US$3 million from 2,018 locations. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González star in the film about a team of elite operatives on an impossible mission. It currently carries a 44 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore.
There were also several high-profile re-releases in theatres this weekend, including “Top Gun” which made US$3.1 million, and “Shrek” which earned US$1.3 million.
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Comscore, noted that “Prada,” “Michael” and “Top Gun” all making the top 10 show “nostalgia is on full display.”
“What’s old is new again and audiences clearly love it,” he said.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Comscore:
1. “Michael,” US$26.1 million.
2. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” US$18 million.
3. “Obsession,” US$16.1 million.
4. “Mortal Kombat II,” US$13.4 million.
5. “The Sheep Detectives,” US$9.3 million.
6. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” US$4.5 million.
7. “Project Hail Mary,” US$3.9 million.
8. “Top Gun” 40th Anniversary, US$3.1 million.
9. “In the Grey,” US$3 million.
10. “Is God Is,” US$2.2 million.
Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
