After two weeks trailing \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada 2,\u201d the Michael Jackson biopic \u201cMichael\u201d reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the North American box office with $26.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.<\/p>\n
\nThe Lionsgate movie is in rarefied territory, having brought in $703.9 million worldwide and counting. It still has a way to go to surpass the current reigning champion of musical biopics: \u201cBohemian Rhapsody.\u201d The Queen movie grossed over $910.8 million worldwide.<\/p>\n
\nThere were also several newcomers in the mix this weekend, including the relationship horror movie \u201cObsession,\u201d the Guy Ritchie action pic \u201cIn the Grey\u201d and the revenge saga \u201cIs God Is,\u201d but the holdovers continued to draw the largest crowds. The power dynamics are poised to shift when \u201cStar Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu\u201d hits theaters next weekend.<\/p>\n
\nDisney and 20th Century Studios’ \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada 2\u201d took second place in its third weekend with $18 million, bringing its domestic total to $175.9 million and worldwide earnings to $546.2 million.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cObsession\u201d topped the newcomers, exceeding expectations with an estimated $16.1 million from 2,615 theaters. YouTube breakout Curry Barker wrote and directed the thriller in which a hopeless romantic gets more than he bargained for when his crush returns his affections. The film received positive reviews from both critics (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (A- CinemaScore). Perhaps more notable is that Barker made the film for $750,000. Focus Features acquired it out of the Toronto International Film Festival last fall for around $15 million.<\/p>\n
\nLisa Bunnell, president of domestic distribution for Focus Features, attributed some of \u201cObsession’s\u201d success to audiences craving fresh, original voices at the movies. It\u2019s also getting an infusion by word-of-mouth, with younger audiences making plans to go back with friends. Horror movies don\u2019t often get CinemaScores in the A- range, but \u201cObsession\u201d is in good company with another recent hit: \u201cWeapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m expecting a really strong holdover,\u201d Bunnell said.<\/p>\n
\nFourth place at the box office this weekend went to \u201cMortal Kombat II,\u201d which fell 65% in its second weekend to $13.4 million in domestic ticket sales. Globally, it has made $101.2 million from 80 markets.<\/p>\n
\nAmazon MGM Studios had three movies in the top 10, including \u201cThe Sheep Detectives\u201d in fifth place, \u201cProject Hail Mary\u201d in seventh place and \u201cIs God Is\u201d rounding out the top 10.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe Sheep Detectives\u201d enjoyed a slim 33% drop from its first weekend, taking in an additional $10.2 million and bringing its running total to $30.5 million. \u201cProject Hail Mary,\u201d which is now available to rent or buy at home, brought in another $3.4 million in its ninth weekend in theaters. \u201cIs God Is,\u201d Aleshea Harris\u2019s adaptation of her Obie-winning play about twin sisters ( Kara Young and Mallori Johnson ) on a quest to find and kill their abusive father made $2.2 million in its first weekend in theaters. It has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, the action caper \u201cIn the Grey,\u201d released by Black Bear, made $3 million from 2,018 locations. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza Gonz\u00e1lez star in the film about a team of elite operatives on an impossible mission. It currently carries a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore.<\/p>\n
\nThere were also several high-profile re-releases in theaters this weekend, including \u201cTop Gun\u201d which made $3.1 million, and \u201cShrek\u201d which earned $1.3 million.<\/p>\n
\nPaul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Comscore, noted that \u201cPrada,\u201d \u201cMichael\u201d and \u201cTop Gun\u201d all making the top 10 show \u201cnostalgia is on full display.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s old is new again and audiences clearly love it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n