Story perspectives

Michael Jackson Biopic Smashes $217M, Wins Audience Praise

4/29/2026

Summary

Michael BoxOffice Record

The film Michael earned $97 million domestically and $120.4 million internationally, totaling $217.4 million, a music-biopic record.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson said giving audiences what they want drives success.
Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King cast Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, as Michael Jackson.
The movie received 97 percent audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes, an A-grade CinemaScore and 85 percent PostTrak recommendation, while critics gave it 38-40 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Summary

Jackson Estate Sells

Jackson estate sold half of Michael Jackson publishing rights in 2024 for $600 million, while a 1993 Chandler allegation storyline was removed because settlement barred depiction of Chandler family.
Director Antoine Fuqua confirmed a 2028 sequel covering the artist’s later, controversial years, with concert sequences relying on CGI drawing criticism for crowds and tracking shots.
Costume designer Marci Rodgers received praise for recreating Michael Jackson’s iconic leather jackets and sequined gloves.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 Sony offered Michael Jackson $110 million for a 50 % stake in a joint publishing venture, creating Sony/ATV and establishing a benchmark for catalog deals. The venture later sold Jackson’s remaining stake for $750 million in 2016 and half of his Mijac catalog for $600 million in 2024, prompting studios to chase high-value music-rights biopics.

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Michael BoxOffice Record

The film Michael earned $97 million domestically and $120.4 million internationally, totaling $217.4 million, a music-biopic record.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson said giving audiences what they want drives success.
Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King cast Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, as Michael Jackson.
The movie received 97 percent audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes, an A-grade CinemaScore and 85 percent PostTrak recommendation, while critics gave it 38-40 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

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