Michael Jackson Biopic Shatters Box-Office Records Globally and in China

Lionsgate’s biopic “Michael,” about pop star Michael Jackson, opened to $97 million in North America and $217 million worldwide in its first weekend, the highest opening for any biopic. The $217 million total eclipses the $60 million debut of 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton” and the $51 million opening of 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” In China, the film led the April 24-26 weekend with RMB 32.6 million (?$4.8 million), taking the top spot.

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Analysts had projected “Michael” to earn $50-$60 million domestically, but pre-release buzz lifted expectations. The film follows a spring slate of hits—including “Project Hail Mary” and “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”—that have revived box-office momentum after a slow start to the year.

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• Opening: $97 million domestic, $217 million worldwide; China weekend: RMB 32.6 million ($4.8 million).

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• Audience: 61 % female, 66 % 25 +; CinemaScore A-; Rotten Tomatoes 38 % positive.

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• China YTD: $1.89 billion, down 49.6 % YoY (Comscore).

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• Comparative: “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” $384 million domestic, $800 million global; “Project Hail Mary” $305 million NA, $613 million worldwide.

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Lionsgate’s motion-picture chair Adam Fogelson said the numbers require “huge numbers across every conceivable demographic.” Cinema United head Michael O’Leary said the film’s success builds on the momentum of recent global hits and predicts “movie fan enthusiasm will continue to grow” with upcoming releases.

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Despite its commercial success, “Michael” received largely negative reviews, reflected in a 38 % positive Rotten Tomatoes rating. Critics called the reviews “mostly terrible,” a stark contrast to the audience’s “A-” CinemaScore and strong demographic turnout.

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The opening lifted industry revenues 15 % ahead of the same point in 2025 (Comscore), though the lead fell from an earlier 23 % advantage. Theater owners cite the performance as a catalyst for optimism ahead of next weekend’s “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and the spring slate featuring “Mortal Kombat 2” and “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” The sustained draw suggests multiple-week runs are viable for high-profile releases.

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• “You don’t deliver this number unless you’re seeing huge numbers across every conceivable demographic,” — Adam Fogelson, Motion-Picture Chair, Lionsgate.

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• “They’re clearly having a blast, and that bodes well for a lovely multiple.” — Adam Fogelson, Motion-Picture Chair, Lionsgate.

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• “Building on the momentum of global hits like ‘Project Hail Mary’ and ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,’ this weekend, Michael is proving yet again that audiences show up for compelling stories on the big screen,” — Michael O’Leary, Head, Cinema United.

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• “Movie fan enthusiasm will continue to grow next weekend when ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ hits theaters worldwide.” — Michael O’Leary, Head, Cinema United.

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The article shows a clear gap between critical consensus (38 % positive on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience response (A- CinemaScore, strong turnout). No detailed breakdown of the negative reviews is provided, leaving the exact nature of the criticism unspecified.

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