Content Advisory: This article discusses allegations involving minors and related legal proceedings. Reader discretion is advised.
‘Michael’ just did what critics said it might not do.
The Michael Jackson biopic opened to a massive $97 million in North America and $217 million worldwide, easily beating expectations and setting a new record for the biggest opening ever for a musical biopic. The previous record belonged to 2015’s ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ which opened with $60 million domestically.
For Lionsgate, this is a major win. The studio has not had a debut this big since ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2’ opened with $102 million in 2015. Now, with numbers this strong, at least one more movie about Jackson’s life is expected to move forward.
“The power of Michael Jackson’s reach into culture is undeniable,” Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said. “And people are having a blast in theaters.”
Audiences Ignored The Bad Reviews
Critics were not kind to ‘Michael.’ Many argued that the film gives audiences a carefully softened version of Jackson’s life because it ends before the abuse allegations involving minors became a central part of his public story. Jackson, who died in 2009, denied all allegations against him.
Audiences had a different reaction. The film earned an A- CinemaScore, which suggests viewers were far more satisfied than reviewers.
That matters because ‘Michael’ was not cheap. The film reportedly cost nearly $200 million, making it one of the most expensive biopics ever produced. Lionsgate shared costs with Universal internationally and the Jackson estate.
The film also faced major behind-the-scenes problems. Earlier versions included material tied to a 1993 lawsuit, but producers had to remove those scenes after discovering a settlement clause that barred depiction or mention of the young accuser in film or television. That added millions to the budget.
The Greatest Hits Strategy Worked
The movie’s biggest strength may be simple: people wanted the songs.
Like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Elvis,’ ‘Michael’ leans into recreated performances rather than a darker account of every controversy. Audiences showed up for ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It’ on giant screens with theater-level sound.
Imax alone brought in $13.8 million in North America and $24.5 million worldwide, marking its biggest start ever for a musical biopic.
For many viewers, the movie played less like a courtroom debate and more like a concert event.
Fans Still Separate The Music From The Allegations
Jackson’s fan base has long shown that it can separate the art from the allegations. The Broadway musical ‘MJ,’ Cirque du Soleil’s ‘One’ and the 2009 concert film ‘This Is It’ all found audiences without focusing on the claims against him.
That may get harder if a sequel happens. ‘Michael’ ends with the words “His story continues,” suggesting the next chapter could move into more controversial years.
For now, the box office message is blunt. Bad reviews did not stop the fans. The music won the weekend.
