Michael Jackson's eponymous biopic has ascended to become the second highest-grossing biopic in cinematic history, overtaking the 2022 Elvis film starring Austin Butler. According to Deadline, the Antoine Fuqua-directed movie, featuring the King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson, 29, in the lead role, has amassed $577 million globally since its theatrical debut on April 18.
Box Office Performance
Third weekend ticket sales of $95 million propelled the film to a domestic total of $240.4 million and an international tally of $336.88 million. In contrast, Elvis earned $288.7 million worldwide. The 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody retains the top spot with $216.7 million domestically and $910.8 million globally, as reported by Billboard.
Outside the United States, Michael has performed exceptionally well in France, where it claimed the number one position with $7.2 million over the past weekend. The film also achieved a record-breaking debut, earning $97 million domestically and $120.4 million internationally in its first weekend, for a global total of $217.4 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Record-Breaking Opening
Michael achieved the biggest domestic opening for a biopic, surpassing projections by $30 million and exceeding Oppenheimer's $80 million in 2023. It also outperformed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the best worldwide opening for a music biopic. Overseas, the film garnered $120.4 million from 84 markets, marking the best opening for a music biopic in 63 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, and South Asia. The film is anticipated to be equally monumental upon its release in Japan in June.
Controversy and Reception
The success of the film comes despite backlash over the producers' decision to omit allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer, which plagued his later career. The production cost $200 million. Producer Graham King and Lionsgate enforced significant delays to excise any reference to the abuse claims. Critics have panned the biopic, earning a dismal 35% 'rotten' score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences have responded positively, as evidenced by the film's monumental earnings.
According to THR, Michael is Lionsgate's best debut since the pandemic and the company's sixth-biggest debut after four Hunger Games installments and the last Twilight film. It also surpassed the opening of Ryan Gosling-led Project Hail Mary to become the second-biggest opening of the year, trailing only The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
