The new Michael film is on course to deliver one of the biggest opening weeks ever for a musical biopic, with early projections placing its US debut between $90 million and $100 million.
Distributed by Lionsgate, the Michael Jackson biopic is expected to surpass the opening performance of Straight Outta Compton, which currently holds the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend in the genre.
Opening week projections and global performance
Even at the lower end of estimates, Michael would set a new benchmark for musical biopic openings in the US. Globally, the film is tracking towards approximately $200 million in its opening weekend, positioning it among the top-performing titles in the category.
According to industry projections, that figure would already place the film within the top five highest-grossing musical biopics of all time.
Lionsgate responds to early box office success
Reacting to the strong early numbers, Adam Fogelson, Chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said:
“This record-breaking performance is a testament to the incredible filmmaking team of producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, an amazing cast led by Jaafar Jackson’s singular performance, our world-class partners at Universal, the cooperation and support of the Michael Jackson Estate, and our tireless and exceptionally talented Lionsgate team.
Above all, it reflects the tremendous outpouring of love and affection from moviegoers around the world, underscoring the strength and vitality of the theatrical box office. If you give audiences what they want, they will come.”
Controversy and critical response
The box office momentum comes despite controversy surrounding the film’s release. Critics have pointed out that Michael does not address long-standing allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson, and early reviews have been largely negative.
Despite this, audience demand appears to be driving strong ticket sales, highlighting the continued global interest in Jackson’s life and music.
How it compares to other musical biopics
While Michael is set to break opening records, it is unlikely to surpass the all-time global box office total of Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned over $910 million worldwide and saw Rami Malek win an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Still, the film’s early performance signals a major commercial win and reinforces the ongoing demand for music-led storytelling in cinemas.
