Michael Jackson Biopic Tops Box Office

The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has debuted at number one at the North American box office. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, earned $97 million in its opening weekend. While commercial performance remains strong, critical reception appears split. Many reviewers describe the film as a polished but superficial portrait that carefully sidesteps the controversies surrounding the late pop icon’s life.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie slipped to second place, adding $21.2 million to its coffers. The animated sequel continues its massive run, having already surpassed $775 million globally. It remains the most successful film of the year thus far. The holdover performance underscores the enduring strength of the Nintendo franchise among family audiences.

Project Hail Mary took third place with a weekend haul of $13.2 million. The sci-fi adventure, starring Ryan Gosling, has earned nearly $600 million worldwide since its March release. Its steady performance in a crowded market highlights the continued appeal of high-concept, star-driven science fiction.

The horror film The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin, landed in fourth place with $5.6 million. Rounding out the top five, the A24 romantic comedy The Drama added $2.6 million to its total. These results reflect a competitive weekend as studios vie for summer audience attention.

Lionsgate is reportedly already planning a sequel to Michael, betting on the film’s strong audience approval to drive long-term interest. Despite the mixed critical consensus, the biopic has clearly captured the public’s attention. The coming weeks will reveal if the film maintains its momentum or faces a sharp drop-off.