Michael Jackson Biopic Michael Nears $100M Opening Weekend

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael is already making major noise at the box office, pulling in a massive opening weekend and proving that the King of Pop’s legacy still carries huge global power. The film, starring Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, opened to an estimated $97 million domestically and more than $217 million worldwide, making it one of the biggest music biopic debuts ever. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael follows Jackson’s rise from his early years with the Jackson 5 to his transformation into one of the most famous entertainers in history. The film also stars Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and brings some of Michael’s most iconic performances, music moments, and career milestones to the big screen. The strong debut is especially impressive considering early projections were much lower. Before release, the movie was expected to earn around $50 million to $60 million in its domestic opening, but fan demand and strong preview numbers pushed those estimates higher. By the end of opening weekend, Michael had nearly reached the $100 million mark in North America alone. The movie’s success also comes despite mixed reactions from critics and ongoing debate around how the film handles Michael Jackson’s life and controversies. While some critics questioned the film’s choices and focus, audiences appeared far more enthusiastic, showing up in large numbers and helping turn the biopic into a commercial win. Internationally, the film performed just as strongly, bringing in more than $120 million from overseas markets. That global response helped push Michael past other major biopics and gave Lionsgate a major box office victory. The film also saw standout numbers from premium formats, including IMAX, showing that many fans wanted to experience Jackson’s story and performances on the biggest screen possible. With such a powerful opening, Michael is now positioned as one of the defining box office stories of 2026. The film’s huge debut not only highlights Michael Jackson’s continued cultural impact, but also opens the door for possible future installments if the studio chooses to continue exploring later chapters of his life and career.