Michael, the musical biopic based on pop icon Michael Jackson, surpassed the $700 million mark at the global box office after reclaiming the top spot internationally in its fourth weekend of release.
The film generated $57.7 million across 83 international markets over the weekend, pushing its worldwide earnings to $703 million, including $421 million overseas and $282 million domestically.
Distributed internationally by Universal Pictures and domestically by Lionsgate, the film also returned to No. 1 on both domestic and worldwide box office charts.
With Japan yet to open, industry analysts projected that Michael could eventually surpass Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned $911 million globally, to become the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time.
Another box office juggernaut is Disney’s nostalgic sequel “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which is nearing $550 million globally with ticket sales at $546.2 million to date. The starry comedy, led by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, added $50.6 million overseas in its third frame. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” has been popular in North America with $175.9 million, but it’s been especially huge at the international box office with $370.3 million to date. Top-earning markets are the United Kingdom ($36.9 million), Italy ($34.6 million), Brazil ($27 million) and Mexico ($24.6 million). It’s a hit for Disney, which spent $100 million to produce the sequel.
Elsewhere at the box office, the Warner Bros. sequel “Mortal Kombat II” collected just $10 million from 79 overseas territories, marking a 53% decline from its opening weekend. After two weekends in theaters, the R-rated video game adaptation has earned $39 million internationally and $101 million globally to date. It cost $80 million to produce.
Another holdover, Amazon MGM’s charming mystery “Sheep Detective,” brought in $14 million from 88 territories in its second frame. The PG-comedy, starring Hugh Jackman, has earned $29 million overseas and $58.7 million globally.
Erizia Rubyjeana
