The premiere of 'Michael' destroys the box office: know all the records it broke

THE KING OF THE BOX OFFICE.

The official figures for the theatrical release from the biographical film Michael Jacksontitled Michael (2026), and the result is a clear success worldwide.

Michael has generated $97 million at the domestic box office (United States and Canada), $120.4 million dollars at the international box officey $217.4 million at the global box office.

The biopic from Lionsgate and Universal Pictures shakes off negative reviews and breaks box office records in its first weekend, on numerous fronts:

• He Highest-grossing opening (domestic and global) of all time for a biographical film (musical or otherwise)surpassing the record of the premiere of Oppenheimer (2023) by Christopher Nolan ($82.4 mdd at the domestic box office, and $174 mdd globally).
• It surpassed the national box office premiere of what were the two highest-grossing musical biopics until a few days ago: Straight Outta Compton ($60.1 mdd), y Bohemian Rhapsody ($51 mdd).
• He best opening weekend of 2026 for an original filmnot belonging to a franchise and not superheroes.
• He best premiere in IMAX of history for a musical biopic.
• Second best premiere of 2026 at the national box office behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ($131.7 mdd).
• Sixth highest-grossing release of all time for Lionsgate, behind the four installments of the saga The Hunger Gamesy Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II.

The feature film had a budget of approximately $200 million, making it one of the most expensive biographical films of all time. Given its impressive opening weekend, it's going to have no problem recouping its budget and turning a profit, plus it has a good chance of surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing musical biopic in history ($910 million at the global box office).

Michael It premiered in 82 markets around the world, with a notable exception being Japan, where it will debut in June.

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”.

Trailer: