Michael reclaimed the throne this weekend at the box office.
The Michael Jackson biopic brought in a projected $26.1 million and danced past several newcomers and mainstays to return to No. 1, Comscore reported Sunday.
The drama, which stars the late King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, has now earned $704 million worldwide, including $282.7 million in the U.S. and Canada.
The ensemble cast includes Colman Domingo as family patriarch Joe Jackson. Nia Long portrays Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller co-stars as his business manager John Branca.
Rounding out the cast are Kendrick Sampson, Larenz Tate, Laura Harrier, and child actor Juliano Valdi as young Michael.
The Lionsgate release made a record debut four weeks ago, but received low marks from film critics.
The biopic currently has a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers saying it plays like a concert and ignores the molestation allegations that followed Jackson to his death in 2009. 60 Minutes Australia recently aired a bombshell investigation, bringing renewed attention to the allegations to coincide with the film’s release.
With Michael returning to the top of the box office chart this weekend, The Devil Wears Prada 2 slipped from first to second place with $18 million in its third weekend. To date, the sequel has earned $546.2 million worldwide.
The horror film Obsession opened in third place with $16.1 million. Mortal Kombat II was fourth with $13.4 million in its second weekend. Sheep Detectives rounded out the Top 5 with $9.3 million.
Two star-studded newcomers struggled to find an audience this weekend.
Guy Ritchie’s In The Grey debuted in ninth place with $3 million in ticket sales. Ritchie wrote and directed the R-rated action caper, which stars Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González.
The fimmaker is best known for directing Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Snatch (2000), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015), and Aladdin (2019).
His latest project from Black Bear Pictures has a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing In The Grey as “bland” and a “one way ticket to Dullsville.”
Performing even worse was acclaimed drama Is God Is, which opened in tenth place.
Despite receiving incredible reviews from critics and a 97 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film opened with $2.2 million, Comscore reported. It played in 1,510 locations for a per theater average of $1,472.
The revenge drama features breakout stars Kara Young and Mallori Johnson as twins. The ensemble cast also includes Vivica A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Mykelti Williamson, and Josiah Cross.
Is God Is tells the story of two sisters who seek retribution after their abusive father left their mother, known as “God” (Fox), disfigured by setting her on fire in front of her children and burning the family’s house down.
Filmmaker Aleshea Harris directed and adapted the thriller from her award-winning play by the same name.
The Amazon MGM Studios and Orion Pictures film was produced by Tessa Thompson, Kishori Rajan, Riva Marker, Janicza Bravo, and Aleshea Harris.
Below is the domestic box office chart from Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore.
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