‘Michael’ Returns to Top in 4th Weekend, ‘Obsession’ Starts Strong With $16 Million as ‘In The Grey’ Bombs at the BO!!

“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 revenge 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.

Right now, Hollywood and theater operators are enthusiastic as they prepare for the summer season to officially start with the Memorial Day weekend release of Disney’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Heading into one of the busiest stretches for the industry, overall ticket sales are 16% ahead of last year, according to Comscore. That’s thanks to several overperforming blockbusters, such as “Michael” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” as well as “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($964 million globally) and “Project Hail Mary” ($667.9 million globally).

“Spirits are rather high given the strength of the year to date box office,” says Comscore’s head of marketplace trends, Paul Dergarabedian. “The industry is feeling optimistic for a solid Memorial weekend with the remarkable long-term playability of holdovers, along with ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu.’”

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” slid to second place on domestic charts after two consecutive weekends at No. 1. The nostalgic sequel earned $18 million from 3,830 venues in its third outing, a decline of 58% from the prior weekend. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” has been a hit with $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 spent $14 million to acquire the R-rated thriller at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.

“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 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 compared to other new releases. Aleshea Harris directed the R-rated film in her feature directorial debut. Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on 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 II” 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, starring Hugh Jackman alongside some talking sheep, has grossed $29.6 million in North America and $58.7 million worldwide. Amazon MGM spent a hefty $75 million to produce the film.

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.

via Variety