Trending Now - Michael Jackson Biopic Breaks Records With $97M Opening Weekend

WHO:

Variety - The film "Michael" is about Michael Jackson, co-produced by the Jackson estate and Lionsgate.

AP News - Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stars in the film.

AP News - Janet Jackson was uninvolved and does not appear in the film.

AP News - Paris Jackson described the film as “fantasy land.”

WHAT:

The Guardian - "Michael" has surpassed "Oppenheimer" ($180.4 million) and "Bohemian Rhapsody" ($124 million) for the biggest opening weekend of all time for a biopic.

Variety - "Michael" debuted at the top of the China box office during the April 24–26 weekend, earning RMB32.6 million ($4.8 million).

The Source - The release of "Michael" has sparked an unexpected wave of audience behavior, with moviegoers transforming traditional screenings into full-scale celebrations.

Variety - "Michael" has now opened in most of the world, with a notable exception being Japan.

Variety - "Michael" collected $120.4 million overseas, contributing to its $217.4 million global opening.

AP News - The film's total production cost came close to $200 million, and Lionsgate sold international distribution rights to Universal to help defray costs.

Collider - "Michael" has become one of the biggest music biopics ever, surpassing previous records.

AP News - The film's total production cost was close to $200 million, and Lionsgate sold international distribution rights to Universal to help defray costs.

AP News - A sequel to "Michael" is in development, with a third film also being considered as a possibility.

Variety - "Michael" is now ranked as one of the Top 10 movies of 2026 based on its global opening weekend performance.

AP News - The film's global opening weekend total reached $217.4 million, marking it as the biggest opening weekend of all time for any musical biopic.

AP News - The film received an "A-" CinemaScore from audiences, indicating strong viewer approval despite critical reviews.

Variety - "Michael" opened with $97 million domestically and $217 million globally in its first weekend.

AP News - The film set a record for the biggest opening weekend for a music biopic, surpassing "Straight Outta Compton" ($60.2 million) and "Bohemian Rhapsody" ($51 million).

Moviefone - "Michael" topped the domestic box office with $97 million.

AP News - The film's total production cost was close to $200 million.

WHERE:

The Guardian - "Michael" will open in Japan in June, a notable exception as it has already opened in most of the world.

The Guardian - The film "Michael" will open in Japan in June, a notable exception as it has already opened in most of the world.

AP News - The film was released in theaters across the U.S. and Canada.

Variety - International sales included $120.4 million from 82 international markets.

WHEN:

AP News - The film's opening weekend was described as occurring recently, with no specific date provided.

WHY:

AP News - Despite negative reviews, the film performed well due to high audience engagement.

AP News - The film's production faced challenges, including a costly mistake that required reshoots.

HOW:

Variety - Director Antoine Fuqua stated, “It would kill me if somebody else did it,” expressing his desire to direct the sequel.

Variety - Director Antoine Fuqua expressed a desire to direct the sequel, stating, “It would kill me if somebody else did it.”

The Guardian - Director Antoine Fuqua expressed a desire to direct the sequel, stating, “It would kill me if somebody else did it.”

AP News - Reshoots for "Michael" cost as much as $50 million after producers realized a significant portion had to be cut due to legal restrictions.

AP News - The film's production cost was close to $200 million, and Lionsgate sold international distribution rights to Universal to help defray costs.

AP News - The film underwent reshoots costing as much as $50 million after producers realized a significant portion had to be cut due to legal restrictions.

AP News - The film concluded in 1988, before any allegations against Jackson were made.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 15:31 UTC)

The new biopic "Michael" has made history by surpassing both "Oppenheimer" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the biggest opening weekend ever for a film in this genre, raking in over $180.4 million. It also debuted at the top of the China box office during the April 24–26 weekend, earning RMB32.6 million, which is about $4.8 million. Director Antoine Fuqua expressed his eagerness to direct a sequel, stating, “It would kill me if somebody else did it.”

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 11:28 UTC)

The film "Michael" has opened in most parts of the world, but it will make its debut in Japan this June, marking a notable exception. So far, the movie has grossed $120.4 million overseas, contributing to a total global opening of $217.4 million, despite its production costs nearing $200 million. Director Antoine Fuqua has expressed a strong desire to direct a sequel, saying, “It would kill me if somebody else did it.”

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 07:44 UTC)

The highly anticipated film "Michael" is set to open in Japan this June, marking a notable exception as it has already premiered in most other parts of the world. Director Antoine Fuqua has expressed a strong desire to helm the sequel, stating, “It would kill me if somebody else did it.” Fans are eager to see how the story unfolds under Fuqua's direction in the future.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 05:48 UTC)

The film "Michael" is set to open in Japan this June, making it a notable exception since it has already premiered in most other parts of the world. Director Antoine Fuqua has expressed a strong desire to direct the sequel, stating, “It would kill me if somebody else did it.” Fans of the film can look forward to both the release in Japan and the potential continuation of the story under Fuqua's direction.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 04:08 UTC)

The music biopic "Michael" has become one of the biggest films of its kind, surpassing previous records and drawing significant attention. With a total production cost nearing $200 million, Lionsgate sold the international distribution rights to Universal to help manage expenses, especially after reshoots added up to $50 million due to legal restrictions. Additionally, a sequel is already in development, and a third film is also being considered as a possibility.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 01:21 UTC)

"Michael" has made a significant impact by ranking as one of the Top 10 movies of 2026, thanks to its impressive global opening weekend performance, which totaled $217.4 million, making it the biggest opening weekend of all time for any musical biopic. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film received an "A-" CinemaScore from audiences, indicating strong viewer approval. With a production cost nearing $200 million, Lionsgate sold international distribution rights to Universal to help manage expenses.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 23:10 UTC)

The new film "Michael," co-produced by the Jackson estate and Lionsgate, has made a significant splash at the box office, opening with an impressive $97 million domestically and $217 million globally during its first weekend. Starring Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, the film has set a record for the biggest opening weekend for a music biopic, surpassing previous hits like "Straight Outta Compton" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." Notably, Janet Jackson was uninvolved in the project and does not appear in the film, while Paris Jackson described it as “fantasy land.” Despite facing negative reviews and a costly production that included $50 million in reshoots due to legal restrictions, audience engagement has driven its success. The film, which concluded its storyline in 1988 before any allegations against Jackson arose, was released in theaters across the U.S. and Canada, with international sales totaling $120.4 million from 82 markets.