Michael Jackson Biopic “Michael” Sets Box-Office Records Amid Mixed Critical Reception

Antoine Fuqua’s *Michael* earned $12.6 million in Wednesday-Thursday previews, including $3.8 million from IMAX and premium formats. Early estimates project a domestic opening of $70 million or more, the highest debut for any music biopic and comparable to the preview grosses of *Dune: Part II* and *Oppenheimer*.

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The film opened in 82 territories (excluding Japan) on Wednesday, generating $16.6 million that day and $18.5 million total, previews included. It set opening-day records for a musical biopic in France ($2.6 million), the United Kingdom & Ireland ($2.6 million), Italy ($1.3 million), Australia ($1.0 million) and Brazil ($651 000 in previews, $2 million overall). The combined preview result also marks the largest opening for any non-superhero, non-franchise film.

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• Domestic previews: $12.6 million (incl. $3.8 million IMAX/PLF).

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• Projected domestic opening: $70 million+.

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• International day-one gross: $16.6 million; cumulative $18.5 million.

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• U.S. market share: 68 percent.

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• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 96 percent.

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• Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 29-33 percent, rising to 40 percent.

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Producers Graham King and Lionsgate chose to end the story with the 1988 *Bad* World Tour concert in London, deliberately concluding before the period of Jackson’s child-sexual-abuse allegations. The closing card reads “His story continues,” emphasizing a focus on his early career.

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Critics note the film’s omission of the abuse allegations, describing it as failing to address accusations that tarnished Jackson’s legacy. Reviewers cite the biopic’s lack of new revelations and label the epilogue a “heavy-lifting” device. The gap between a 96 percent audience rating and sub-40 percent critic score highlights divergent reception.

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The strong opening suggests a nostalgia-driven return to theaters, especially among Gen Z. By surpassing previous music-biopic benchmarks—*Straight Outta Compton* ($60.2 million) and *Bohemian Rhapsody* ($55 million)—the film reshapes commercial expectations for the genre.

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The article notes uncertainty about front-loaded ticket sales and records a shift in the critics’ score from 29-33 percent to 40 percent during the opening weekend. No comment has been given on future coverage of the omitted period.

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• “Dream it. See it. Believe it. Make it happen” — Michael Jackson

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• “Fuqua and screenwriter John Logan don’t exactly break the mold with Michael, nor do they stuff it with major revelations. But they tap into a vein of melancholy underlaying the stratospheric success that’s surprisingly affecting,” — David Rooney, *THR*

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• “The online mob will be sharpening their pitchforks given the movie’s failure to address the accusations of child sexual abuse that tarnished Michael Jackson’s legacy.” — David Rooney, *THR*

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Box-office analysts will track the film’s second-week performance as it reaches remaining markets. Ongoing audience interest could sustain its market-share lead, while critical debate may shape future biopic treatments of controversial subjects.

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