Michael Jackson movie ‘Michael’ returns to No.1 as its global earnings hit Ksh90B
By AP, May 17, 2026After two weeks trailing “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the North American box office with $26.1 million (approximately Ksh3.37 billion) in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The Lionsgate movie is in rarefied territory, having brought in $703.9 million (approximately Ksh90.8 billion) worldwide and counting. It still has a way to go to surpass the current reigning champion of musical biopics: “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The Queen movie grossed over $910.8 million (approximately Ksh117.6 billion) worldwide.
There were also several newcomers in the mix this weekend, including the relationship horror movie “Obsession,” the Guy Ritchie action pic “In the Grey” and the revenge saga “Is God Is,” but the holdovers continued to draw the largest crowds. The power dynamics are poised to shift when “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” hits theaters next weekend.
Disney and 20th Century Studios’ “The Devil Wears Prada 2” took second place in its third weekend with $18 million (approximately Ksh2.32 billion), bringing its domestic total to $175.9 million (approximately Ksh22.7 billion) and worldwide earnings to $546.2 million (approximately Ksh70.5 billion).
“Obsession” topped the newcomers, exceeding expectations with an estimated $16.1 million (approximately Ksh2.08 billion) 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 (approximately Ksh96.8 million). Focus Features acquired it out of the Toronto International Film Festival last fall for around $15 million (approximately Ksh1.94 billion).
Fourth place at the box office this weekend went to “Mortal Kombat II,” which fell 65% in its second weekend to $13.4 million (approximately KSh1.73 billion) in domestic ticket sales. Globally, it has made $101.2 million (approximately Ksh13.1 billion) from 80 markets.
Amazon MGM Studios had three movies in the top 10, including “The Sheep Detectives” in fifth place, “Project Hail Mary” in seventh place and “Is God Is” rounding out the top 10.
“The Sheep Detectives” enjoyed a slim 33% drop from its first weekend, taking in an additional $10.2 million (approximately Ksh1.32 billion) and bringing its running total to $30.5 million (approximately KSh3.94 billion). “Project Hail Mary,” which is now available to rent or buy at home, brought in another $3.4 million (approximately Ksh439 million) in its ninth weekend in theaters.
“Is God Is,” Aleshea Harris’s 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 (approximately Ksh284 million) in its first weekend in theaters. It has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Meanwhile, the action caper “In the Grey,” released by Black Bear, made $3 million (approximately KSh387 million) from 2,018 locations. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González 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.
There were also several high-profile re-releases in theaters this weekend, including “Top Gun” which made $3.1 million (approximately Ksh400 million), and “Shrek” which earned $1.3 million (approximately Ksh168 million).
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Comscore, noted that “Prada,” “Michael” and “Top Gun” all making the top 10 show “nostalgia is on full display.”
“What’s old is new again and audiences clearly love it,” he said.