Against all expectations (including our own), Michael was able to moonwalk back to the top of the box office heap in its fourth week of release. The Michael Jackson biopic pulled in a cool $26 million this weekend, with a huge $282 million domestic haul. Internationally, it’s even bigger, with the global total having passed $700 million this weekend, with it looking like it could break a billion dollars.
20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 held up fairly well in week three, making $18 million after a huge Mother’s Day weekend. It’s at $175 million domestically, on its way to about a $220 million domestic haul.
One of the best pieces of news this weekend is that Focus’ Obsession, from YouTube personality Curry Barker, broke out this weekend, earning $16.1 million, exceeding the $15 million the studio paid to acquire it at TIFF. With an A-minus CinemaScore (rare for horror), it’s widely expected to have good legs, even once The Mandalorian and Grogu opens next weekend.
Sadly, Mortal Kombat II took a heavier fall than expected, with it dropping a massive 65% in week two to $13.4 million. With a $62 million domestic haul, it will be a moneymaker for WB/New Line, but will likely fall short of $100 million domestically.
Last week’s sleeper, The Sheep Detectives, had a decent hold, with it falling 38% to $9.3 million and a $29.6 million total — although it will likely become a bigger hit once it premieres on Prime, with it being an Amazon/MGM production.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continued to pull in the family audience, making another $4.4 million toward a massive $418 million domestic total. Project Hail Mary also hung in there with $3.8 million and a $334 million total, with it likely to finish in the $350 million range domestically.
Another surprise this weekend was the 40th anniversary re-release of Top Gun. Truly, its staying power has been legendary, with it making $3.1 million for a $4.7 million domestic total. It creamed the Guy Ritchie film In the Grey, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill. Despite their star power, the Black Bear release whiffed with $3 million on just over 2,000 screens.
Black Bear released this one fairly unceremoniously into the marketplace, making its box office failure inevitable, with its theatrical run little more than advertising for its eventual digital release. Still, it marks a rare flop for Guy Ritchie.
The top 10 was rounded out by Orion’s Is God Is, which our critic Mike Conway loved. It made $2.2 million on 1,500 screens.
Next weekend is Memorial Day, which is usually one of the biggest box office weekends of the year, although many believe The Mandalorian and Grogu will underperform. How much do you think it will make? Let us know in the comments!
| # | MOVIE TITLE | WKND $ | TOTAL $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael | $26.12 M | $282.8 M |
| 2 | Devil Wears Prada 2 | $18 M | $175.8 M |
| 3 | Obsession | $16.1 M | $16.1 M |
| 4 | Mortal Kombat II | $13.4 M | $62.2 M |
| 5 | The Sheep Detectives | $9.3 M | $29.6 M |
| 6 | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | $4.45 M | $418.6 M |
| 7 | Project Hail Mary | $3.8 M | $334.8 M |
| 8 | Top Gun 40th Anniversary | $3.1 M | $4.79 M |
| 9 | In the Grey | $3 M | $3 M |
| 10 | Is God Is | $2.2 M | $2.2 M |