‘Michael’ Just Had Its Strongest Overseas Monday Yet, And The Numbers Keep Getting Bigger

Few films in recent memory have managed to sustain the kind of theatrical momentum currently powering the Michael Jackson biopic around the world. What began as a heavily scrutinized passion project has since transformed into one of the defining box office stories of the year, with the film continuing to post numbers that defy typical release patterns.

Much of that staying power has been fueled by international markets rather than domestic ticket sales alone, with the film’s overseas performance accounting for well over half of its total worldwide haul. Russia has quietly become one of the more fascinating chapters in that story, especially now that the film has settled into an extended theatrical run there.

According to the latest tracking data from Russia and the CIS region, ‘Michael’ posted a remarkably strong Monday performance on June 29, earning 268 thousand dollars while dropping only 20 percent compared to the previous week. That kind of hold, especially more than a month into release, points to a film that continues drawing steady audiences rather than fading after its opening weeks.

With 33 days now in release across Russian theaters, ‘Michael’ has pushed its total regional gross to 22.1 million dollars, translating to roughly 1.605 billion rubles and nearly three million admissions. Including neighboring Belarus, that figure climbs even further to approximately 22.76 million dollars, while the broader CIS total including all surrounding countries reaches nearly 1.953 billion rubles, or about 26.81 million dollars.

That total has already been enough to place the film at number 32 on the region’s all time box office chart, a striking achievement for a biopic that arrived with a considerable amount of critical skepticism attached. The film’s ability to keep expanding its footprint this deep into its run continues to separate it from most wide releases, which typically see steep drop offs by this point in their theatrical life.

‘Michael’ was not the only film posting notable numbers that Monday, with Son of a Rich 3 pulling in 212 thousand dollars despite a steeper 26 percent weekly decline, bringing its own cumulative total to 10.28 million dollars after 19 days in theaters. Meanwhile, A24’s horror release Backrooms continued its own strong run, earning 102 thousand dollars on a 40 percent drop while approaching 9.61 million dollars after 26 days, a total that puts it on track to surpass The Drama and become the studio’s biggest release in the Russian market.

Newer entries also made their presence felt on the chart, with Three Heroes Daily Tales 3 and Unpacking both debuting with respectable Monday numbers of 85 thousand dollars and 72 thousand dollars, respectively, after only five days in release. Further down the list, Obsession continued its own extended run with 68 thousand dollars on a modest 17 percent decline, reaching a regional total of 5.45 million dollars after 40 days in theaters.

A 20 percent week-to-week drop on a Monday this far into a theatrical run is a genuinely strong signal for any film, let alone one that has already been playing for over a month. It suggests word of mouth continues driving new ticket sales even as the initial wave of curiosity-driven moviegoers has long since passed through theaters.

Combined with the film’s ongoing dominance in markets like Australia, South Korea, and the Middle East, Russia’s continued strength reinforces just how far-reaching Michael Jackson’s cultural footprint remains internationally. For a film that critics largely approached with hesitation, the commercial story on the ground continues to tell a very different tale.

What do you make of ‘Michael’ continuing to hold strong in international markets more than a month into its release? Share your thoughts on the film’s ongoing box office run in the comments.