Story perspectives

Michael Jackson biopic opens $97 M, Lionsgate record debut

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” posted a $97 million domestic debut on April 26, 2026, the largest opening for a biographical film.
The budget rose to $200 million after the Jackson estate added $50 million for reshoots that removed references to 1993 child-molestation lawsuit.
Audiences awarded A-grade CinemaScore and a 97 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating, despite a 40 percent critic score.
The opening became Lionsgate’s biggest debut in over a decade, drawing 45-50 percent of viewers aged 18-34.

History

Historical Context

The 2018 release of the Queen biopic *Bohemian Rhapsody*—produced by 20th Century Fox and starring Rami Malek—cost roughly $100 million and earned over $900 million worldwide, becoming the sixth-highest-grossing film of that year. Its blockbuster success revived studio confidence in estate-backed music biographies, prompting a new wave of high-budget projects such as the upcoming Michael Jackson film.

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Story summary

The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” posted a $97 million domestic debut on April 26, 2026, the largest opening for a biographical film.
The budget rose to $200 million after the Jackson estate added $50 million for reshoots that removed references to 1993 child-molestation lawsuit.
Audiences awarded A-grade CinemaScore and a 97 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating, despite a 40 percent critic score.
The opening became Lionsgate’s biggest debut in over a decade, drawing 45-50 percent of viewers aged 18-34.

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