“Michael”, the much-anticipated biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted atop the North American box office this weekend with a thriller-ing $97 million, industry estimates showed on Sunday, marking one of the strongest openings of the year and reaffirming the enduring appeal of the King of Pop.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, chronicles Jackson’s rise from a child performer in the Jackson 5 to one of the most influential figures in modern music. In the lead role is Jaafar Jackson, whose portrayal has generated significant attention for closely mirroring his uncle’s voice, dance style and stage presence.
“This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography”, said analyst David A Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. He noted that audience response has been strong, describing the film as “a feel-good, nostalgic appreciation”, even as critical reception has been more mixed.
“Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer’s life, including allegations of misbehaviour”, Gross said, while adding that a second instalment is already in development, suggesting the story will continue beyond the first film.
With the film already released in Europe, it has taken in nearly $220 million worldwide, according to Exhibitor Relations, highlighting the continued global fascination with Jackson’s life and legacy years after his death.
In second place at the US and Canadian box office was The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which added $21.2 million. The animated sequel from Universal Pictures and Illumination Studios has now grossed more than $775 million globally, maintaining strong momentum after three weeks at the top and continuing to draw family audiences worldwide.
Third place went to Project Hail Mary, an Amazon MGM sci-fi adventure starring Ryan Gosling. The film, which follows a teacher-turned-astronaut tasked with saving Earth from a dimming sun, earned $13.2 million over the weekend and has brought in nearly $600 million worldwide during an extended theatrical run.
In fourth place was The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin. The Warner Bros production, centred on a young girl possessed during an ancient ritual, took in $5.6 million, continuing a steady performance among horror audiences.
Rounding out the top five was The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The offbeat romantic comedy with a darker edge earned $2.6 million, bringing its global total to about $80 million and completing a varied weekend box office chart.
Industry watchers say the strong mix of nostalgia-driven hits, family animation and genre films reflects a broadly healthy theatrical market, with studios increasingly relying on recognisable brands and global audiences to sustain box office growth in a competitive entertainment landscape. — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
