"Michael" tops $700 million worldwide

Lionsgate’s “Michael” crossed $700 million at the global box office on May 17, according to weekend estimates compiled by The Numbers. The Michael Jackson biopic returned to No. 1 in North America in its fourth weekend with $26.125 million, pushing its domestic total to $282.8 million and its worldwide gross to $703.9 million. The film stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and is directed by Antoine Fuqua. Universal is distributing the film internationally, while Lionsgate handles the U.S. release. ### How did “Michael” get past $700 million this weekend? The Numbers reported on May 17 that “Michael” added $26.125 million in the United States and Canada over the May 15-17 weekend. That total was down 31% from the prior frame and was enough to move the film back to the top of the domestic chart. The site said the movie had reached $282.8 million domestically after 24 days in release. The same weekend report put the film’s international gross at $421.1 million. Combined with the domestic total, that lifted the worldwide tally to $703.9 million, taking the film past the $700 million mark by Sunday. ### What did it beat at the U.S. box office? The Numbers listed “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in second place for the May 15-17 weekend with $18 million from 3,830 theaters. “Obsession,” a new release, opened in third with $16.1 million from 2,615 locations. (the-numbers.com) Sunday’s daily chart also showed “Michael” ahead of the field. The film collected $8.18 million on May 17, compared with $5.6 million for “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and $4.04 million for “Mortal Kombat II,” according to The Numbers. (the-numbers.com) ### How large was the film’s start in theaters? Variety reported on April 26 that “Michael” opened with $97 million domestically and $217 million globally in its first weekend. (the-numbers.com) Variety said that was the biggest domestic opening ever for a biopic, ahead of the $60 million debut for “Straight Outta Compton.” Variety also reported that the film carried a production cost near $200 million, with those costs split among Lionsgate, Universal and the Michael Jackson estate. (the-numbers.com) The outlet said Lionsgate’s motion picture chair Adam Fogelson called the early turnout broad-based across demographics. ### How close is it to the top music-biopic record? Forbes reported on May 17 that “Michael” had reached $703 million worldwide and was approaching the global benchmark set by “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The Numbers said “Bohemian Rhapsody” finished with an $879 million worldwide gross and said its model projects “Michael” could end its run between $820 million and $840 million if current trends hold. (variety.com) That projection is the site’s estimate, not a studio forecast. Variety reported at opening that “Bohemian Rhapsody” ultimately generated about $910 million worldwide. The difference reflects separate tracking services and reporting conventions, but both figures place “Michael” behind that title’s final global total. ### Who is behind the film? Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, plays the singer in his acting debut, Variety reported at the time of the opening weekend. (forbes.com) Antoine Fuqua directed the film, and Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson said opening-weekend attendance showed the film was drawing across age and audience groups. The Numbers said weekend audience data showed continued support in the marketplace. (variety.com) Its May 17 report cited an A- CinemaScore and said 89% of moviegoers rated the film in the top two boxes on PostTrak. ### What comes next at the box office? Memorial Day weekend is the next major test for “Michael” after the May 15-17 frame. The Numbers said the film has already reached $282.8 million domestically and projected a final North American run of about $333 million, while additional overseas receipts will determine how close it gets to the all-time music-biopic benchmark. (variety.com) (the-numbers.com)