*The King of Pop has reclaimed his throne at the multiplex. “Michael,” the Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson, delivered a massive opening weekend, shattering records for music biopics while showcasing a stark divide between critic reviews and audience enthusiasm.
According to Sunday morning estimates for April 26, 2026, the film earned approximately $97 million domestically from 3,955 theaters. Internationally, it added $120.4 million across 82 markets via Universal, bringing its worldwide total to a staggering $217.4 million. That marks the best year-to-date opening for any live-action MPA title and immediately positions “Michael” as a cultural phenomenon.
For context, the Michael Jackson biopic’s box office performance easily surpassed every previous music biopic benchmark. It topped “Straight Outta Compton” ($60.2 million domestic in 2015) and “Bohemian Rhapsody” (approximately $51 million domestic). For Lionsgate, this represents the studio’s strongest opening in over a decade. It also ranks as one of the biggest non-sequel openings in recent years, with early audience polling indicating an A- CinemaScore.
Domestically, the daily breakdown was equally impressive. Previews on Wednesday and Thursday generated roughly $12.6 to $13 million. Friday’s opening day soared to $39.5–39.9 million, marking the highest single-day gross of 2026 so far in some reports. Strong holds on Saturday and Sunday pushed the three-day total toward the higher end of $95–100 million. Should final numbers cross $100 million, it would outpace “Project Hail Mary” ($80.5 million) as the top live-action opening of the year.
Imax screens contributed significantly: $24.4 million worldwide, including $13.8 million domestic from just 427 screens, accounting for roughly 14% of the U.S. weekend.
Scroll to continue reading
Lionsgate scores biggest win in a decade as global fans dance in the aisles.
The Michael Jackson biopic box office triumph becomes even more noteworthy given the context of critical reception. Many outlets noted a sizable reviews-versus-audiences disconnect. However, fan excitement, Jaafar Jackson’s widely praised performance as his uncle, and Michael Jackson’s enduring global popularity overwhelmed any skepticism.
Overseas, the film posted record first-day openings for musical biopics in multiple territories, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Italy, and Australia. Reports from theater chains describe audiences dancing in the aisles, singing along to classics like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller,” and parents bringing young children to introduce them to Jackson’s music and legacy. The global moviegoing public appeared largely indifferent to behind-the-scenes legal snafus between the Jackson estate and an accuser dramatized in the film—controversy that briefly delayed production but failed to impact ticket sales.
With a reported production budget between $165–200 million, this opening provides a strong runway toward profitability, especially given the film’s robust international appeal. Industry analysts now project a domestic final gross potentially exceeding $300 million, with worldwide totals possibly reaching $700–800 million if the film maintains its current momentum through May.
View this post on Instagram
From legal drama to box office gold – how Michael conquered the world.
What makes this opening particularly striking is the context surrounding the film’s path to release. Legal disputes between the Michael Jackson estate and a childhood accuser portrayed in the movie caused production delays and generated headlines that would have sunk a lesser project. Yet when it came time for audiences to buy tickets, those controversies proved irrelevant.
This phenomenon mirrors past music biopics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which weathered similar critical skepticism about its handling of Freddie Mercury’s personal life yet grossed over $900 million worldwide. “Michael” appears poised for a similarly leggy run. Music biopics historically demonstrate strong week-to-week holds, and with no major competing musical release scheduled for another month, “Michael” has clear runway.
For Jaafar Jackson, the opening weekend validates years of training and the immense pressure of portraying one of the most famous figures in music history. For director Antoine Fuqua, it adds another commercial hit to a resume that includes “Training Day” and “The Equalizer.” And for Lionsgate, struggling through a difficult post-pandemic period, “Michael” represents a much-needed franchise-starter.
Whether you adored him or debated his legacy, one thing is now undeniable: audiences still want to see the King of Pop on the biggest screen possible. “Michael” is a sensation, and its record-breaking opening weekend is only the beginning.
(If You Like/Appreciate This EURweb Story, Please SHARE it!)
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Why ‘Michael’ the Movie and Michael Jackson the Man Still Stir Controversy
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
