Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Smashes Records with $88M+ Opening Weekend

Lionsgate’s Michael is delivering a record-breaking opening weekend for biopics, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer with an estimated $88 million-plus domestic opening. The film earned $41 million on its opening day, the highest single-day gross of 2026 to date.

Industry projections had initially estimated Michael to open with $65 million, which would have been enough to surpass the $60.2 million opening of Straight Outta Compton for the highest music biopic debut. However, exhibitors told TheWrap they expected an opening that could challenge the overall biopic record of $82.4 million set by Oppenheimer.

Exhibitors’ expectations proved accurate. Fueled by loyal Michael Jackson fans 17 years after his passing, Michael is sustaining the box office momentum established by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary, propelling the summer season into full swing. The summer officially begins next weekend with another major release, 20th Century’s The Devil Wears Prada 2, projected to open with over $70 million.

With strong Saturday turnout, Michael’s opening weekend could climb to $95 million domestically and surpass $180 million worldwide. International distribution is handled by Universal.

Fan Reception Outshines Critics

While critics gave Michael a lukewarm reception for its sanitized portrayal of Jackson’s career, fans embraced the film’s celebration of his greatest hits—from the Jackson 5 era to Bad. Audiences rewarded the film with an A- CinemaScore and a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Lionsgate’s Best Studio Opening Since 2015

For Lionsgate, this opening marks the studio’s best since The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 launched to $102 million in 2015. It also positions Michael as Lionsgate’s highest-grossing non-franchise film to date.

Summer Box Office Continues to Surge

‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Hits New Milestones

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie added $20.5 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic total to $385 million. The film expands to theaters in Japan this weekend and has now surpassed $800 million worldwide.

‘Project Hail Mary’ Defies Typical Decline

Project Hail Mary earned an estimated $13 million in its sixth weekend, maintaining a remarkable screen count of 3,510. Though it will likely lose several hundred screens next weekend with the arrival of The Devil Wears Prada 2, it remains the first film since Deadpool Wolverine (September 2024) to hold over 3,500 screens after six weekends.