๐ฆ Michael Jackson Biopic Tops Chinese Box Office
Last weekend, Hollywood content dominated Chinese cinemas. According to data from Artisan Gateway, the biographical drama Michael, released by Universal, made a strong debut in the top spot, earning 32.6 million yuan ($4.8 million).
The film is delivering impressive results far beyond mainland China; according to Comscore, Michael maintains its status as the No. 1 film at the global box office, with total earnings reaching $217.3 million.
The Calm Before “Golden Week”
Overall, it was a quiet weekend for the industry, with the top five films generating a combined total of just $16 million. The market is effectively holding its breath in anticipation of the major releases timed for the May Day holidays. Total Chinese box office revenue since the beginning of 2026 has reached $1.89 billion, a 49.6% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Weekly Leaderboard:
- Michael โ A triumphant debut and a global leader.
- Itโs OK โ This local drama by director Yang Lin moved to second place. In its fourth weekend, the film added $1.7 million to its tally (totaling $26.8 million). The plot, centered on a complex mother-daughter relationship, continues to captivate audiences.
- The Caged Butterfly โ A horror-thriller about the secrets of the “Butterfly” estate, taking third place with $1.5 million and bringing its total to $13.1 million.
- Project Hail Mary โ The sci-fi epic from Columbia Pictures remains in the standings for the sixth consecutive week. Adding $1.3 million, the film brought its total Chinese box office to $39.1 million.
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie โ The animated hit from Universal rounds out the top five with weekly earnings of $1.2 million (totaling $18.7 million).
Despite the temporary lull in activity, experts predict a sharp increase in figures next week due to the traditional holiday surge in theater attendance.
Source: Variety
