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MICHAEL had exhibitors dancing in the aisles as moviegoers spent $97M to celebrate the King of Pop.

Lionsgate/Universal/GK Films’ PG-13 bio-drama MICHAEL opened #1 at 3,955 theatres ($24,526), per Comscore. It’s also done $120.4M internationally via Universal for a worldwide cume of $217.4M. Hollywood handicappers started out projecting what then sounded like a terrific $60-70M domestic launch.

MICHAEL’s tracking best for first choice with over-25 women (10 points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics may be a nasty 38%, but paying audiences are applauding at 97%. BUDGET BUZZ: about $200M to produce (shared) & $50M+ for North American marketing (Lionsgate).

MICHAEL ends a sizzling spring boxoffice season that saw distributors give moviegoers what they want to see. Notable: Original IP; not a holiday weekend, summer or holiday season release; and from an indie distrib.

MICHAEL is director Antoine Fuqua’s (THE EQUALIZER) in-depth look at the complicated man who became the King of Pop — Michael Jackson. Starring as Michael is his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, the second youngest son of singer/songwriter/producer & Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson.

Domestic ticket sales this weekend were $152.5M, according to Comscore Head of Marketplace Trends Paul Dergarabedian. That’s up 62.7% from the prior weekend and up 2% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2026 at $2.57B, up 14.3% from $2.25B in 2025. The prior weekend had 2026 up 16.62% vs. 2025.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Universal/Nintendo/Illumination Entertainment’s THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE was #2 with $21.2M (-42%) at 3,732 theatres ($5,681) in weekend four. It’s done $386.5M domestic and $831.5M worldwide. BUDGET BUZZ: $110M to produce.

The franchise’s first episode opened 4/5/23 to $146.4M and did $1.36B worldwide on a budget of $100M.

Amazon MGM Studios’ sci-fi blockbuster PROJECT HAIL MARY was #3 in weekend six with $13.2M (-36%) at 3,510 theatres ($3,763). It’s done $305.4M domestic and $613.3M worldwide. BUDGET BUZZ: $200M to produce.

New Line/Blumhouse/Atomic Monster’s LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY was fourth in weekend two with $5.6M (-58%) at 3,304  theatres ($1,704). It’s done $23.5M domestic. BUDGET BUZZ: $22M to produce.

Next weekend (5/1/26) 🐝🐝🐝🐝: 20th Century Studios’ PG-13 dramedy THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 is opening at about 4,000 theatres. Hollywood buzz-ards are projecting a $70-80M domestic launch, but that number could grow.

In PRADA 2, directed by David Frankel (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA), Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway & Emily Blunt return (and Stanley Tucci, too!) on the heels of the 2006 original, which did $326.6M worldwide on a budget of $35M. It’s tracking best for first choice with over-25 women (13 points over norm).