Michael Jackson biopic debuts atop North America box office

Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.The film has strong audience approval, playing as a feel good, nostalgic appreciation, he said, but reviews are weak.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.With the film already released in Europe, it has globally taken in nearly 220 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.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 hauled in over 775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported.Third place went to Amazon MGM's hit sci-fi adventure comedy Project Hail Mary, with 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.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 unraveling just before their wedding.The film took in an additional 5.6 million, for a global box office haul of 80 million.Rounding out the top 10:Hoppers (1.9 million)You, Me Tuscany (1.5 million)Over Your Dead Body (1.4 million)I Swear (640,000)Normal (625,000)