Today's Edition
LOS ANGELES (AFP)
"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 Sunday.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, chronicles the legendary artist's rise from a child star to one of the world's most famous pop icons. In the starring role is Jaafar Jackson, the popstar's nephew.
"This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.
The film has strong audience approval, "playing as a feel good, nostalgic appreciation," he said, but "reviews are weak."
With the film already released in Europe, it has globally taken in nearly $220 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.
In second place at the US and Canadian box office was "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," with another $21.2 million.
After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has hauled in over $775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported.
Third place went to Amazon MGM's hit sci-fi adventure comedy "Project Hail Mary," with $13.2 million. The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly $600 million worldwide, in an extended theatrical run.
In fourth place with $5.6 million was "Lee Cronin's The Mummy," an original horror flick from Warner Bros about a young girl possessed by a demon in an ancient mummification ritual.
Fifth place went to "The Drama," A24's romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unravelling just before their wedding.
The film took in an additional $2.6 million, for a global box office haul of $80 million.
