‘This Is It’ Sets Global Concert Film Record

Published by Jeff Leins on: November 1st, 2009

Posthumous Michael Jackson documentary This Is It posted $101 million internationally since its debut on Tuesday night to become the largest concert film in history.  (Even though it’s not actually a concert.)  As expected the “King of Pop” took down the smiling competition of Miley Cyrus and her Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour ($70.6M).

Sony picked up the rights to the rehearsal footage and backstage preparation for Jackson’s “comeback” tour for $60 million after the performer died in June 2009.  Then they ironically selected Halloween as the best time to resurrect the ghoulish ghost of MJ against other paranormal activity.  I wonder how many “Thriller” costumes there were last night.

The $32.5 million domestic total over the five days is below even the lowest predictions, and the global cumulative is well under the $250 million Sony predicted publicly.  Most of the money came from overseas dollars where Jackson wasn’t seen so much as a creepy man who got in touch with his inner and outer child.  It’s a record breaker, but it played on nearly 3,500 screens against zero new openers and was pitted against a Disney Channel teen with only American appeal.  Nothing to bust into a moonwalk about and shows This Is It was over hyped exploitation.

Critics, however, loved it.  80% on Rotten Tomatoes and a glowing, insane review from his long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor.

In a move that should surprise absolutely no one on Earth, Sony has announced the limited two week run will be extended through Thanksgiving weekend.  Even Michael Jackson saw that one coming.  This pushes back the DVD release that was rumored for December to sometime in early 2010.

Paranormal Activity moved down to second, still going strong in its sixth week and boosted by the holiday crowds.  It made another $16.5 million over the weekend for a total of $84.9 million.  The low-budget movie was made for just $15,000.  If my calculations are correct, that’s a 565,100% return on investment.  It already passed its comparison film, The Blair Witch Project, on Thursday to become the most profitable film ever.

Lionsgate’s Saw VI dropped the usual 60+% even after a slow start and second place finish last weekend.  It fell to fifth with just $5.6 million.  The next one will be in 3-D.

3-Day U.S. Weekend Estimates:
1. This Is It $21.3 million
2. Paranormal Activity  $16.5 million
3. Law Abiding Citizen  $7.3 million
4. Couples Retreat  $6.1 million
5. Saw VI  $5.6 million
6. Where the Wild Things Are  $5.1 million
7. The Stepfather $3.4 million
8. Astro Boy  $3 million
9. Amelia $3 million
10. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant  $2.8 million