Trending 
“Michael,” the much-anticipated biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, has debuted at the top of the North American box office garnering $97 million.
Based on industry estimates on Sunday, April 26, the film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, chronicles the legendary artist’s rise from a child star to one of the world’s most famous pop icons.
In the starring role is Jaafar Jackson, the pop star’s nephew.
“This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography,” said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. He also said the film has strong audience approval, playing as a feel-good, nostalgic appreciation, but the reviews are weak.
Gross, noting that Part 2 is in motion, said, “Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer’s life, including allegations of sexual misbehaviour.”
According to Exhibitor Relations, the film, which has already been released in Europe, has taken in nearly $220 million globally. In second place at the US and Canadian box office was “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” with another $21.2 million.
After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has pulled in over $775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported. While the Third place went to Amazon, MGM’s hit sci-fi adventure comedy “Project Hail Mary” which made $13.2 million.
The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly $600 million worldwide in an extended theatrical run. Then, in fourth place with $5.6 million was “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy,” an original horror flick from Warner Bros about a young girl possessed by a demon in an ancient mummification ritual.
Fifth place went to “The Drama,” A24’s romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unravelling just before their wedding. The film added $2.6 million, bringing its global box office total to $80 million.
