The new musical biopic Michael has taken the global box office by storm, setting a new record for the biggest opening weekend ever for a biographical film.
The film, which stars Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, has grossed an impressive $217 million worldwide since its release on Wednesday, surpassing previous records held by Bohemian Rhapsody, which opened with $124 million in 2018.
Michael also outperformed the $180 million opening weekend of Oppenheimer, making it the highest-grossing debut for any biopic to date.
Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate, said the film’s success reflects its broad audience appeal. “You don’t deliver this figure unless you’re seeing huge numbers across every conceivable demographic,” he noted.
Despite its commercial success, the film has received mixed critical reviews. According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave it a modest 38% rating, while audiences responded far more positively, awarding it a 97% score.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film focuses heavily on Michael Jackson’s musical legacy, featuring recreated performances and original vocals from the late superstar. It also explores his relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson, portrayed by Colman Domingo.
However, the film has drawn criticism for omitting references to longstanding allegations of child sexual abuse against Jackson, which he denied and was acquitted of in 2005. Filmmakers initially planned to include aspects of these controversies but ultimately removed them following the rediscovery of a non-disclosure agreement tied to one of the cases.
The production faced significant challenges, including costly reshoots that pushed its budget to an estimated $200 million, making it one of the most expensive biopics ever made.
The film is part of a broader trend of successful musical biopics in recent years, highlighting the enduring appeal of iconic artists on the big screen.
With its record-breaking debut and strong audience reception, Michael is expected to remain a dominant force at the global box office in the coming weeks.
