After trailing “The Devil Wears Prada 2” for two weeks, the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” reclaimed the top spot at the North American box office. Studio estimates reported $26.1 million in ticket sales for the weekend. The Lionsgate movie has achieved significant success, raising its worldwide total to $703.9 million. It aims to surpass the success of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which grossed over $910.8 million globally.
This weekend witnessed the debut of several new releases, including the horror thriller “Obsession,” the action movie “In the Grey,” and the revenge saga “Is God Is.” Despite these newcomers, established films continued to attract the largest audiences. Next weekend could see shifts in dynamics with the arrival of “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
In its third weekend, Disney and 20th Century Studios’ “The Devil Wears Prada 2” secured second place with $18 million in earnings. Its domestic haul stands at $175.9 million, while worldwide figures reach $546.2 million. “Obsession” exceeded expectations, garnering an estimated $16.1 million from 2,615 theaters. Directed by Curry Barker, the thriller focuses on a romantic journey gone wrong when affections are unexpectedly returned. It earned positive reviews from critics and audiences, receiving a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore. The film’s budget was $750,000, with Focus Features acquiring it for around $15 million from the Toronto International Film Festival.
Lisa Bunnell, president of domestic distribution for Focus Features, mentioned that audience interest in fresh voices contributed to “Obsession’s” success. Positive word-of-mouth is also driving younger audiences to revisit the film with friends. Horror films seldom achieve A- CinemaScores, yet “Obsession” matches recent successes like “Weapons.” Bunnell anticipates a strong performance moving forward.
Dropping to fourth place, “Mortal Kombat II” faced a 65% decline, earning $13.4 million in domestic sales. Its global total reaches $101.2 million across 80 markets. Three Amazon MGM Studios films ranked in the top 10: “The Sheep Detectives” at fifth place, “Project Hail Mary” at seventh, and “Is God Is” closing out the top 10.
“The Sheep Detectives” experienced a 33% drop from its debut weekend, adding $10.2 million to a cumulative total of $30.5 million. “Project Hail Mary,” now available for rental or purchase, raised $3.4 million during its ninth weekend. “Is God Is,” adapted from Aleshea Harris’s Obie-winning play, focuses on twins seeking vengeance against their abusive father. It made $2.2 million in its opening weekend and boasts a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
The action thriller “In the Grey,” featuring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González, earned $3 million at 2,018 locations. It scored 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore. High-profile re-releases, including “Top Gun” and “Shrek,” collectively added $4.4 million to overall earnings.
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore, remarked on the box office success of films like “Prada,” “Michael,” and “Top Gun.” He noted the audience’s appreciation for nostalgia, with older films resonating well with current viewers.
The top 10 domestic box office figures, pending final calculations on Monday, include estimated totals for Friday through Sunday across U.S. and Canadian theaters, 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. “The Sheep Detectives,” $9.3 million.
- 6. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” $4.5 million.
- 7. “Project Hail Mary,” $3.9 million.
- 8. “Top Gun” 40th Anniversary, $3.1 million.
- 9. “In the Grey,” $3 million.
- 10. “Is God Is,” $2.2 million.