The biopic 'Michael' exceeds $700 million at the global box office

THE KING OF THE BOX OFFICE continues to shake off the negative reviews.

The biographical film of Michael Jackson, Michael (2026), is a clear success worldwide, exceeding $700 million dollars at the global box office, in its fourth weekend in theaters.

Box office per day (May 17):

• Domestic box office – $282 million dollars
• International box office – $421 million dollars
• Global box office – $703 million dollars

In addition, during the weekend it returned to number one in the national market, after The Devil Wears Prada 2 will take the podium for two consecutive weeks.

The biopic is distributed by Lionsgate at the domestic box office, and by Universal Pictures at the international box office.

At this rate, and for being released in Japan in June, Michael could eclipse Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), to be crowned the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time ($910 million).

The film had a budget of approximately $200 million, making it one of the most expensive biographical films of all time.

The biopic has generated a clear division of opinion between professional critics and the audience. The majority of professional critics have harshly criticized the project, accusing it of trying to cover up the problematic legacy of the King of Pop.

In a recent extensive report from Variety, it was explained that the project had to modify its original third act in which addressed the well-known accusations against Jackson, after lawyers for Jackson's estate, who are involved as producers, became aware of the existence of a legal clause from one of the singer's accusers, Jordan Chandler, that prohibited his representation or mention in any film. Therefore, a rewriting of the third act was carried out and reshoots with a cost between $10 million to $15 million dollars, focused on a new ending.

Michael It ends in 1988, with the promise of continuing the story in a sequel. The first allegation against Jackson, made by Chandler, occurred in 1993, leading to an investigation that ended in a civil lawsuit settled in 1994.

Antoine Fuqua directs the script John Loganwith a cast led by Jaafar Jackson –Michael's nephew in real life– like Michael in his adolescent and adult years, and Juliano Krue Valdilike little Michael. Colman Domingo y Nia Long They play Joe and Katherine Jackson, Michael's parents, Miles Teller to John Branca, manager, and one of the co-executors of the singer's estate, Lawrence Tate is Berry Gordon, founder of Motown Records, and Laura Harrier is pioneering music executive Suzanne de Passe.

Can read our review of Michael here.

SYNOPSIS:

“Michael tells the story of Michael Jackson's life beyond musiccharting his journey from discovering his extraordinary talent as the leader of the Jackson Five, to becoming the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a tireless quest to be the world's greatest artist. Highlighting both his life off stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early days as a solo artist, The film gives audiences a privileged view of Michael Jackson like never before. Here your story begins”.