Lionsgate's Michael is proving that the King of Pop still reigns supreme at the box office. The Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic shattered industry projections in its opening weekend, pulling in a staggering $90 million-plus domestically. That's a record-breaking debut that far surpasses the $51 million opening of Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018 and the $60 million start of Straight Outta Compton.
The film, which stars Jaafar Jackson—Michael's nephew—in the lead role, alongside Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Nia Long, has been met with harsh criticism from reviewers. Critics have panned its hagiographic portrayal of Jackson's early life, with the film currently sitting at a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences are clearly not listening. The movie earned an A- CinemaScore and a 94% audience score on the same aggregator, earning a "Verified Hot" badge.
This disconnect between critics and viewers is reminiscent of Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury biopic that also faced criticism for sanitizing its subject's life but went on to gross over $900 million worldwide and win Rami Malek a Best Actor Oscar. Producer Graham King, who also produced Bohemian Rhapsody, is behind Michael, and the parallels are striking. The film's $200 million budget is hefty, but with a $90 million opening, a path to $1 billion globally is within reach—especially if audiences return for repeat viewings.
Lionsgate is already planning for a sequel, with reports indicating that 30% of the first film's footage has been edited and is ready for part two. The studio may also release a sing-along version of the film, following the playbook of Bohemian Rhapsody, Frozen, and other musical hits, given the party atmosphere reported in theaters.
The film's success comes despite ongoing controversy surrounding Jackson's legacy, including child-abuse allegations. In her review, Collider's Taylor Gates noted the omission of these allegations but still called the film "a complex, compelling family drama." Meanwhile, the director of Leaving Neverland has blasted the biopic, calling it "worse than Jeffrey Epstein." Yet audiences seem undeterred, choosing to focus on Jackson's musical impact.
For more on the box office and streaming hits, check out our coverage of Guy Ritchie's 'Young Sherlock' Smashes Prime Video Record and Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II' Conquers Paramount+.
With a $90 million debut, Michael is not just a hit—it's a cultural event. Stay tuned for more updates on this record-breaking biopic and its inevitable sequel.
