Story perspectives

Michael Biopic Beats Oppenheimer, Wins Fans, Loses Critics

4/30/2026

Summary

Michael Biopic

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael opened Thursday, April 24, 2026, with a biopic opening weekend beating Oppenheimer.
Rotten Tomatoes gave 37% critics and 97% audience scores.
Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael, with Colman Domingo and Miles Teller in supporting roles.
Legal issues removed Janet Jackson, Diana Ross scenes and Michael’s The Wiz role.
Critics note pacing flaws, such as a four-year jump to the 1988 Bad tour, Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson’s sequel confirmation.

Summary

Michael Jackson Streams

Michael Jackson’s catalog streamed 47.9 million U.S. plays in the film’s opening weekend, a 116% surge.
“Billie Jean” led with 4 million streams, while “Beat It,” “Rock With You,” “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” and “Smooth Criminal” each earned 1.9–2.9 million plays.
Lionsgate earned $11.1 million Tuesday, its fourth-best April Tuesday, bringing domestic receipts to $116 million, near the $126.4 million post-COVID benchmark.
Prince’s catalog rose 25% to 2.44 million streams, while Beyoncé’s Lemonade rose 40% to 3.01 million streams.

Summary

Reed Slams Biopic

Dan Reed, director of Leaving Neverland, called the Jackson biopic a “flipped truth” narrative.
He said 1993 molestation scenes were removed to honor a settlement with Jordan Chandler’s family, criticized Antoine Fuqua’s dismissal of the abuse claims as “nasty”, and noted MJ the Musical (2022) also sidesteps the molestation narrative.
He released Leaving Neverland 2 on YouTube in 2025 while original stays off HBO until 2029 because of a 1992 non-disparagement clause.

History

Historical Context

After Jordan Chandler’s 1993 molestation claim, Michael Jackson settled the civil case on January 25 1994 for roughly $23 million, a deal that barred any future depiction of the allegations. When Lionsgate began the 2026 biopic “Michael,” estate lawyers invoked that clause, forcing costly reshoots and sparking fresh debate over artistic freedom and the settlement’s lasting cultural impact.

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Michael Biopic

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael opened Thursday, April 24, 2026, with a biopic opening weekend beating Oppenheimer.
Rotten Tomatoes gave 37% critics and 97% audience scores.
Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael, with Colman Domingo and Miles Teller in supporting roles.
Legal issues removed Janet Jackson, Diana Ross scenes and Michael’s The Wiz role.
Critics note pacing flaws, such as a four-year jump to the 1988 Bad tour, Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson’s sequel confirmation.

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