New Film About the King of Pop's Life Takes Top Spot at Theaters, Raking in $220 Million

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“Michael,” the much-anticipated biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted atop the North American box office this weekend with a thriller-ing $97 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

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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.

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In the starring role is Jaafar Jackson, the popstar’s nephew.

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“This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography,” said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

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The film has strong audience approval, “playing as a feel good, nostalgic appreciation,” he said, but “reviews are weak.”

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“Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer’s life, including allegations of sexual misbehavior,” Gross said, while noting a Part 2 is in the works.

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With the film already released in Europe, it has globally taken in nearly $220 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

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In second place at the US and Canadian box office was “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” with another $21.2 million.

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After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has hauled in over $775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported.

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Third place went to Amazon MGM’s hit sci-fi adventure comedy “Project Hail Mary,” with $13.2 million.

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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.

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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.

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Fifth place went to “The Drama,” A24’s romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding.

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The film took in an additional $2.6 million, for a global box office haul of $80 million.

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Rounding out the top 10:

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“Hoppers” ($1.9 million)

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“You, Me & Tuscany” ($1.5 million)

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“Over Your Dead Body” ($1.4 million)

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“I Swear” ($640,000)

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“Normal” ($625,000)

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