Story perspectives

Michael Reclaims Box Office Lead, Beats Bohemian Rhapsody Domestically

5/18/2026

Summary

Michael Reclaims

United States – Michael (Lionsgate) reclaimed No. 1 with $26.1 million in its fourth weekend, starring Jaafar Jackson.
Domestic total hit $282.8 million, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody’s $216 million to become North America’s top musical biopic.
Worldwide gross reached $703.8 million, narrowing the gap to Bohemian Rhapsody’s $911 million record.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 fell to second with $18 million, its domestic total now $175.9 million.
Obsession opened third with $16.1 million, earning a 94 % Rotten Tomatoes rating and an A- CinemaScore.
Box office was about $106 million, and analysts say the Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu release could reshape rankings.

Summary

Michael Splits Critics

Critics have panned the biopic while audiences remain split, showing a clear divide between professional reviews and fan enthusiasm.
The film’s release has sparked a surge in Michael Jackson’s music streams and album sales, reviving his catalog.
The $75 million film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, features Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo.
It will debut in Japan on June 12, which may lift international earnings.

Summary

Michael Falters

Michael's gross of $26.1 million is outside top-20, behind Dark Knight ($26.11 million, 20th) and Jumanji: The Next Level ($26.22 million, 19th).
The Devil Wears Prada 2 earned $18 million in its third weekend, raising 17-day domestic total to $175.8 million.
Its worldwide gross of $546.2 million puts it in the top 25 female-led films, ahead of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil ($491.7 million).
The sequel failed to become the second 2026 release to top the box office for three weeks.

History

Historical Context

Disney’s 1994 release of The Lion King, debuting on June 15 and earning $979 million worldwide, anchored the studio’s Disney Renaissance and proved that animated brand nostalgia could dominate box-office charts. That model of leveraging beloved IP informed later strategies, such as Lionsgate’s 2026 Michael Jackson biopic, which banks on similar nostalgic appeal to drive strong early grosses.

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Michael Reclaims

United States – Michael (Lionsgate) reclaimed No. 1 with $26.1 million in its fourth weekend, starring Jaafar Jackson.
Domestic total hit $282.8 million, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody’s $216 million to become North America’s top musical biopic.
Worldwide gross reached $703.8 million, narrowing the gap to Bohemian Rhapsody’s $911 million record.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 fell to second with $18 million, its domestic total now $175.9 million.
Obsession opened third with $16.1 million, earning a 94 % Rotten Tomatoes rating and an A- CinemaScore.
Box office was about $106 million, and analysts say the Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu release could reshape rankings.

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