Lionsgate’s Michael, the biopic about Michael Jackson, reclaimed the top spot at the North American box office over the weekend, buoyed by demand for Imax and premium large-format screenings. The film’s resurgence pushed it back to the No. 1 position, overtaking The Devil Wears Prada 2, which had held the lead for two consecutive weekends. Globally, The Devil Wears Prada 2 crossed the $500 million mark on Friday, solidifying its strong performance worldwide.

Premium screens drive ‘Michael’ back to top

The return of Michael to the No. 1 spot was fueled by a 47% jump in Imax and premium screen ticket sales, according to studio data. Analysts noted that the film’s nostalgic appeal and expanded screenings contributed to its rebound. ‘Michael’ had initially slipped to No. 2 last weekend before staging a comeback, proving its enduring draw among fans of the late pop icon.

Curry Barker’s horror film Obsession opened in third place with a weekend gross of $15 million, marking a competitive debut for the genre in a crowded summer slate. The film’s opening was bolstered by strong word-of-mouth and strategic marketing targeting horror audiences. Industry trackers reported that Obsession outperformed expectations, securing a solid foothold in the top three.

Obsession stars rising talent and marks director Curry Barker’s follow-up to his 2022 horror hit Disturbing Behavior. The film’s marketing emphasized its twist-heavy plot and high-stakes suspense, resonating with fans of the genre. Box office analysts said the strong opening reflected pent-up demand for horror content after a slower-than-expected summer season.

Global box office milestones

The Devil Wears Prada 2, the sequel to the 2006 fashion industry satire, surpassed $500 million in global ticket sales on Friday, becoming one of the summer’s most profitable releases. The film’s international appeal, particularly in Europe and Asia, has driven its sustained box office momentum. Studio executives credited a mix of star power, franchise nostalgia, and broad market appeal for the milestone.

The weekend’s box office results highlighted the divergent fortunes of different genres. While Michael and Obsession leaned into niche audiences, The Devil Wears Prada 2 broadened its appeal across demographic lines. Industry insiders said the contrast underscored the importance of targeted marketing and screen availability in determining box office success.

Looking ahead, Michael is expected to maintain its lead through the week, supported by continued premium screenings. Obsession will face competition from new releases, including a family film and a sci-fi sequel, in the coming weeks. Analysts said the holiday weekend could further shake up the rankings as audiences weigh their summer options.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Hollywood Reporter
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 16:24 UTC
  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topics: #hollywood · #movies · #entertainment · #box-office · #box-office-thriller

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O público brasileiro, que já lotou cinemas com sucessos como Bohemian Rhapsody e Elvis, tem motivos para comemorar: o Brasil não só contribuiu com uma das maiores receitas do mundo para o biopic Michael, como também viu o filme de Jackson voltar ao topo das bilheterias graças ao incentivo das exibições em telas premium, como IMAX. Enquanto o longa da Lionsgate reconquista o primeiro lugar nos Estados Unidos, o país reforça sua paixão por ícones musicais — e a estratégia de marketing, aliada à nostalgia, mostra como o cinema pode reviver clássicos com novo fôlego. Paralelamente, o thriller Obsession, estrelado por Curry Barker, estreou com impressionantes US$ 15 milhões, provando que o gênero ainda atrai multidões nos primeiros fins de semana.

No Brasil, onde o cinema nacional e internacional disputam atenção nas telonas, a chegada de Michael ao topo reacende debates sobre o poder dos ídolos na cultura pop e como eles movem multidões décadas após sua morte. O sucesso do longa, especialmente em exibições especiais, reflete uma tendência global: os cinéfilos brasileiros estão cada vez mais dispostos a pagar mais por experiências imersivas, como as oferecidas por salas IMAX. Já Obsession, com seu enredo intrigante, chega em um momento em que os thrillers psicológicos vêm ganhando espaço, inclusive com produções nacionais que exploram temas similares. Para a indústria, a lição é clara: formatos diferenciados e narrativas fortes, mesmo em gêneros consolidados, ainda fazem a diferença na bilheteria.

O próximo passo será observar se Michael consegue manter o ritmo nas próximas semanas, enquanto Obsession tenta consolidar seu espaço no competitivo mercado de outubro — com potencial para se tornar um novo fenômeno entre os fãs de suspense.