NEW YORK (AP) — The big-budget biopic “Michael,” which chronicles the life of the late Michael Jackson, has achieved a staggering debut by grossing $97 million in its opening weekend across U.S. and Canadian theaters, as per studio estimates released on Sunday. This impressive figure sets a new record for music biopics, eclipsing previous top performers such as “Straight Outta Compton,” which debuted with $60.2 million in 2015, and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which opened with $51 million in 2018.
Internationally, the film also performed exceptionally well, raking in $120.4 million from global markets, resulting in a remarkable $217.4 million worldwide debut. The distribution in most international territories was handled by Universal, which contributed to the film's overall success.
Initial estimates for “Michael” suggested it would earn around $50 million, later adjusted to $70 million before the film's release. However, it exceeded expectations significantly. Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate's chairman, noted that early indications pointed towards the film's potential to become a significant hit, as there was considerable engagement observed across a wide demographic of audiences.
The film's release comes regarding the complex legacy of Jackson, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. His life and career have been mired in controversy due to multiple allegations of child sexual abuse. Jackson consistently denied these accusations, although he acknowledged sharing a bedroom with other children. His sole criminal trial in 2005 concluded with his acquittal. Despite the controversial background, Lionsgate took a significant gamble by producing a film about Jackson, who remains a polarizing figure in popular culture.
While some family members, including Janet Jackson, chose to remain uninvolved, the movie also faced criticism for its portrayal of Jackson’s life. Paris Jackson, his daughter, referred to the film as “fantasy land.” Nevertheless, Graham King, a producer of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” announced plans for the film three years after the airing of “Leaving Neverland,” a documentary that detailed allegations against the pop star. Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was cast in the titular role.
The production of “Michael” was fraught with challenges. After filming, it was discovered that substantial content focused on the allegations against Jackson through the lens of Jordan Chandler, whom Jackson had reached a $23 million settlement with in 1994. The terms of that settlement prohibited any mention of Chandler in a film related to Jackson, which necessitated significant cuts to the film after its completion. As a result, costly reshoots amounting to $50 million were undertaken, and the narrative was restructured to conclude in 1988, prior to any allegations.
Despite these hurdles, “Michael” emerged as a box office success, with a production budget nearing $200 million. To offset the financial strain, Lionsgate sold the international distribution rights to Universal. Excitingly, plans for sequels are already in development, leading to speculation about further sequels given the movie's success.
Critics have been less than favorable regarding the film's reception, awarding it a mere 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, general audiences received it far better, granting it an “A-” CinemaScore. Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Comscore, emphasized the film's successful timing ahead of the summer movie season, hinting at further successes within the Hollywood landscape.
The success of “Michael” further contributes to a strong spring for the film industry, following the box office triumphs of hits like Amazon MGM’s “Project Hail Mary” and Universal’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” As of its fourth week, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” earned $21.2 million, with a total of $386.5 million domestically and $445 million internationally. Meanwhile, “Project Hail Mary” crossed $600 million worldwide after six weeks in theaters.
In the list of top 10 movies by domestic box office from Friday through Sunday, “Michael” claimed the top spot, followed by “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” “Project Hail Mary,” and several other films rounding out the list.
