Two weeks after the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the North American box office with sales of $26.1 million, according to studio estimates.The film is in rare territory, having grossed $703.9 million worldwide and counting. It still has a long way to go to surpass the current champion of musical biopics: “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Queen film has grossed more than $910.8 million worldwide.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” took second place
The Devil Wears Prada 2 ranked second in its third weekend with revenues of $18 million, bringing its total domestic revenue to $175.9 million and its global earnings to $546.2 million.
“Obsession” takes the lead in new releases
The film “Obsession” topped the list of new films, exceeding expectations with revenues estimated at 16.1 million US dollars in 2,615 theaters. YouTuber Cary Parker wrote and directed the thriller in which a desperate romantic gets more than he bargained for when his crush returns his feelings. The film received positive reviews from both critics (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (A- CinemaScore). Perhaps most tellingly, Parker produced the film for $750,000.
Focus Features acquired the film from the Toronto International Film Festival last fall for about $15 million.Lisa Bonnell, president of domestic distribution for Focus Features, attributes some of “Obsession”‘s success to audiences craving new, original voices in films. It’s also getting an infusion through word of mouth, with younger audiences planning to come back with friends. It’s not often that horror films get a cinematic score in the A range, but “Obsession” is accompanied by another recent hit: “Weapons.”“I expect it to continue to be really strong,” Bonnell said.
“Mortal Kombat II” drops to fourth place
Fourth place at the box office this weekend went to Mortal Kombat II, which dropped 65% in its second weekend to $13.4 million in domestic ticket sales. Globally, the company generated US$101.2 million from 80 markets.Amazon MGM Studios had three films in the top 10, including The Sheep Detectives at No. 5. The film was down a slight 33% from its first weekend, earning an additional US$10.2 million to bring its total to US$30.5 million.
Top 10 rounded
“Project Hail Mary” ranked seventh, and “Is God Is” ranked tenth. “Project Hail Mary,” which is now available for rent or purchase at home, brought in another $3.4 million in its ninth weekend in theaters. “God Is,” Alicia Harris’s adaptation of her Obie Award-winning play about twin sisters (Kara Young and Mallory Johnson) on their quest to find and kill their abusive father, grossed $2.2 million in its first weekend in theaters.
It received a rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.Meanwhile, Black Bear’s action film “In the Grey” grossed $3 million from 2018 locations. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza Gonzalez star in the film about a team of elite agents on an impossible mission. It currently holds a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore.There were also several notable releases in theaters this weekend, including “Top Gun,” which grossed $3.1 million, and “Shrek,” which grossed $1.3 million.
Top 10 films at the domestic box office
With final domestic numbers released Monday, this list takes into account estimated Friday-Sunday ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:1. “Michael” $26.1 million.2. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” $18 million.3- “Obsession” movie, $16.1 million.4. “Mortal Kombat 2” $13.4 million.5- “Sheep Detectives,” $9.3 million.6. “Super Mario Galaxy” $4.5 million.7. “Hail Mary Project,” $3.9 million.8. “Top Gun” 40th Anniversary, $3.1 million.9. “In the Gray,” $3 million.10. “Is God He?” $2.2 million.
