JamesG
05-18-2026, 09:03 AM
Michael Returns to No. 1 in Fourth Weekend, Obsession Starts Strong With $16 Million
by Rebecca Rubin
May 17, 2026
Michael has moonwalked back to No. 1 at the domestic box office, earning a strong $26 million in its fourth weekend of release.
In a sign of its remarkable staying power, Michael towered over several more recent releases, such as The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Mortal Kombat II as well as newcomers like the Focus Features horror film Obsession, Amazon MGM’s revenge thriller Is God Is and Black Bear’s action adventure In the Grey.
So far, the Michael Jackson biopic has generated $283 million in North America and a staggering $703.8 million globally.
It already ranks as the highest-grossing musical biopic in North America, outpacing 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody ($216 million). The Queen biopic is larger at the worldwide box office with $911 million, though Michael should eventually supplant that record, too.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 slid to second place on domestic charts after two consecutive weekends at No. 1. The nostalgic sequel earned $18 million from 3,830 venues in its third outing, a decline of 58% from the prior weekend.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been a hit with $546.2 million in global ticket sales, including $175.9 million in North America and a massive $370 million internationally.
Obsession enjoyed the strongest start among new releases, landing in third place with $16 million from 2,615 theaters. Audiences and critics were enthusiastic, awarding the film an “A-” grade on CinemaScore exit polls and a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes — which bodes well for box office longevity.
YouTube breakout and first-time director Curry Barker directed Obsession, which follows a hopeless romantic who makes a twisted Faustian bargain to win his crush’s heart. Focus spent $14 million to acquire the R-rated thriller at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
Mortal Kombat II tumbled to fourth place with $13.4 million from 3,534 theaters in its sophomore outing. Those ticket sales mark a sharp 65% drop from opening weekend.
The Warner Bros. video game sequel has generated $62.2 million in North America and $101 million globally after two weekends of release. It cost $80 million to produce.
Sheep Detective rounded out the top five with $9.3 million from 3,554 screens in its second weekend, a decline of just 38% from its debut.
The crowd-pleasing mystery, starring Hugh Jackman alongside some talking sheep, has grossed $29.6 million in North America and $58.7 million worldwide. Amazon MGM spent a hefty $75 million to produce the film.
In the Grey, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill and Eiza González, opened at No. 9 with a muted $3 million from 2,018 locations.
Guy Ritchie directed the movie, which has lousy reviews (46% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a tepid audience reaction (“B” grade on CinemaScore).
Not far behind, Is God Is debuted in 10th place with $2.2 million from 1,510 theaters, a smaller footprint compared to other new releases. Aleshea Harris directed the R-rated film in her feature directorial debut.
Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge. Is God Is holds a sterling 97% on Rotten Tomatoes as well as a solid “B+” grade on CinemaScore.
Paramount’s concert film Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), which also opened last weekend, plunged to the No. 13 spot.
Despite strong reviews, the movie earned a paltry $800,000 from 2,613 theaters in its sophomore outing, a harsh 88% decline from its soft $7.5 million start. Ticket sales stand at $9.2 million domestically and $25 million globally.
Hit Me Hard and Soft was produced for $20 million through a partnership with Paramount and Interscope Records.
https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-michael-reclaims-first-place-obsession-starts-strong-1236751550/
May 15-17, 2026: Weekend Studio Estimates
1. Michael $26,125,000 / $282,796,827
2. The Devil Wears Prada 2 $18,000,000 / $175,862,196
3. Obsession $16,100,000
4. Mortal Kombat II $13,400,000 / $62,232,532
5. The Sheep Detectives $9,319,616 / $29,660,699
6. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie $4,450,000 / $418,619,015
7. Project Hail Mary $3,898,295 / $334,854,110
8. Top Gun / Top Gun: Maverick $4,794,486
9. In the Grey $3,005,000
10. Is God Is $2,222,342
by Rebecca Rubin
May 17, 2026
Michael has moonwalked back to No. 1 at the domestic box office, earning a strong $26 million in its fourth weekend of release.
In a sign of its remarkable staying power, Michael towered over several more recent releases, such as The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Mortal Kombat II as well as newcomers like the Focus Features horror film Obsession, Amazon MGM’s revenge thriller Is God Is and Black Bear’s action adventure In the Grey.
So far, the Michael Jackson biopic has generated $283 million in North America and a staggering $703.8 million globally.
It already ranks as the highest-grossing musical biopic in North America, outpacing 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody ($216 million). The Queen biopic is larger at the worldwide box office with $911 million, though Michael should eventually supplant that record, too.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 slid to second place on domestic charts after two consecutive weekends at No. 1. The nostalgic sequel earned $18 million from 3,830 venues in its third outing, a decline of 58% from the prior weekend.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been a hit with $546.2 million in global ticket sales, including $175.9 million in North America and a massive $370 million internationally.
Obsession enjoyed the strongest start among new releases, landing in third place with $16 million from 2,615 theaters. Audiences and critics were enthusiastic, awarding the film an “A-” grade on CinemaScore exit polls and a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes — which bodes well for box office longevity.
YouTube breakout and first-time director Curry Barker directed Obsession, which follows a hopeless romantic who makes a twisted Faustian bargain to win his crush’s heart. Focus spent $14 million to acquire the R-rated thriller at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
Mortal Kombat II tumbled to fourth place with $13.4 million from 3,534 theaters in its sophomore outing. Those ticket sales mark a sharp 65% drop from opening weekend.
The Warner Bros. video game sequel has generated $62.2 million in North America and $101 million globally after two weekends of release. It cost $80 million to produce.
Sheep Detective rounded out the top five with $9.3 million from 3,554 screens in its second weekend, a decline of just 38% from its debut.
The crowd-pleasing mystery, starring Hugh Jackman alongside some talking sheep, has grossed $29.6 million in North America and $58.7 million worldwide. Amazon MGM spent a hefty $75 million to produce the film.
In the Grey, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill and Eiza González, opened at No. 9 with a muted $3 million from 2,018 locations.
Guy Ritchie directed the movie, which has lousy reviews (46% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a tepid audience reaction (“B” grade on CinemaScore).
Not far behind, Is God Is debuted in 10th place with $2.2 million from 1,510 theaters, a smaller footprint compared to other new releases. Aleshea Harris directed the R-rated film in her feature directorial debut.
Adapted from her 2018 play, the story centers on two sisters (Broadway favorite Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on an epic quest for revenge. Is God Is holds a sterling 97% on Rotten Tomatoes as well as a solid “B+” grade on CinemaScore.
Paramount’s concert film Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), which also opened last weekend, plunged to the No. 13 spot.
Despite strong reviews, the movie earned a paltry $800,000 from 2,613 theaters in its sophomore outing, a harsh 88% decline from its soft $7.5 million start. Ticket sales stand at $9.2 million domestically and $25 million globally.
Hit Me Hard and Soft was produced for $20 million through a partnership with Paramount and Interscope Records.
https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-michael-reclaims-first-place-obsession-starts-strong-1236751550/
May 15-17, 2026: Weekend Studio Estimates
1. Michael $26,125,000 / $282,796,827
2. The Devil Wears Prada 2 $18,000,000 / $175,862,196
3. Obsession $16,100,000
4. Mortal Kombat II $13,400,000 / $62,232,532
5. The Sheep Detectives $9,319,616 / $29,660,699
6. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie $4,450,000 / $418,619,015
7. Project Hail Mary $3,898,295 / $334,854,110
8. Top Gun / Top Gun: Maverick $4,794,486
9. In the Grey $3,005,000
10. Is God Is $2,222,342