Opening Weekend

Michael Jackson biopic has shrugged off controversy, bad reviews and a troubled production to take $217m worldwide, including $97m in North AmericaMichael, the big-budget Michael Jackson biopic, has shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with a $97m opening in North American theaters, contributing to its enormous $217m (£160m, A$303m) worldwide box office and shattering the record for the biggest biopic opening of all time.The film, a highly authorised portrayal of the “king of pop” that was co-produced by the Jackson estate and stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, took $120.4m internationally and $97m domestic – combining to surpass Oppenheimer’s $180.4m worldwide opening weekend in 2023 and Bohemian Rhapsody’s $124m in 2018. Continue reading...

• Project Hail Mary debuted with $80.6 million at the US box office this weekend, marking the biggest opening of 2026 so far. • Starring Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, the film achieved the largest opening ever for distributor Amazon MGM Studios. • The sci-fi adaptation of Andy Weir's novel highlights strong audience interest in major studio releases amid competitive weekend performance.

• Amazon MGM's 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling, debuted at number one with $80.5 million in North American ticket sales, marking the best opening for a non-franchise film since 'Oppenheimer.' • The sci-fi epic, centered on Gosling's amnesiac astronaut racing to save the sun, drew about 5 million ticket buyers, with premium large format screens accounting for 56% of the gross and IMAX at 24%. • Amazon MGM Studios head Kevin Wilson stated, 'What we’re seeing in theaters — the energy, the exit scores, the word-of-mouth — is everything we believed this film would deliver.'