Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Smashes Box Office Records Despite Critical Backlash

Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Achieves Historic Box Office Success

The Lionsgate-Universal biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has shattered box office expectations, grossing $217 million worldwide ($97 million domestically) in its opening weekend. This marks the highest-grossing opening weekend for any biopic in film history before inflation adjustment.

The film now holds the biopic record in 64 of the 83 global markets where it was released. Previously, the global biopic record belonged to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which opened to $174 million worldwide in July 2023. The domestic biopic record was held by Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper, which earned $90.1 million in its 3-day opening in January 2015.

Comparisons to Other Music Biopics

The closest comparison to Michael is the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, also produced by Graham King. While Bohemian Rhapsody faced criticism for downplaying Mercury’s sexuality and AIDS battle, it became a global phenomenon, grossing over $910 million worldwide and winning four Oscars.

Critical Reception vs. Audience Approval

Despite a majority of negative reviews from critics, audiences embraced Michael. The film earned:

• An A- on CinemaScore
• A 97% Rotten Tomatoes audience score
• A 90% PostTrak survey score

The film’s production was tumultuous, requiring costly reshoots after the Jackson estate invoked a settlement clause from a 1993 sexual abuse case, prohibiting any mention of the accuser. This forced the removal of key plot elements from the original script.

"What this weekend shows, above all else, is the disparate views of what fans, critics, and the estates and catalog owners want from these music biopics."

Key Takeaways for Music Biopics

The success of Michael underscores a critical insight: playing the hits is the key to audience success. The film’s use of Michael Jackson’s entire catalog sparked viral reactions on TikTok and YouTube, with audiences singing and dancing along in theaters.

Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding Jackson’s legacy, the fundamentals of the genre’s appeal remain unchanged. The film’s fanbase in 2026 is larger than that of any other musician who has received the biopic treatment.

Market Trends and Competition

While Michael will face competition from The Devil Wears Prada 2 next weekend, recent successes like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary suggest that the public’s moviegoing habits are evolving, with the market increasingly capable of supporting multiple blockbusters simultaneously.