The numbers behind the impressive debut of ‘Michael’: $200 million in its first week in theaters
The Michael Jackson biopic has made a historic debut despite mixed reviews and a production marked by changes.
‘Michael’ has kicked off its theatrical run with box office figures far exceeding expectations. Antoine Fuqua’s film, which focuses on Michael Jackson and stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson, grossed $217.4 million worldwide during its opening weekend. This makes it the biggest global opening in history for a musical biopic and confirms that, beyond the critical debate, the name of the King of Pop continues to hold extraordinary commercial appeal.
The total is broken down into $97 million in the United States and Canada and $120.4 million in international markets. It’s an opening that clearly surpasses recent major hits in the genre, including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ and also outpaces the global opening of ‘Oppenheimer’ as a biopic, although Christopher Nolan’s film ended up playing in a different league throughout its entire theatrical run.
The film has been criticized for glossing over the darker aspects of Jackson’s life and for ending its narrative before the allegations that marked his final years. Its production also underwent significant changes in the third act, with reshoots that reportedly drove up the cost by about $50 million, bringing the total budget to nearly $200 million, according to some estimates.
An Immediate Hit for the Michael Jackson Biopic
That, precisely, is the key to its success. ‘Michael’ didn’t need to win over critics unanimously to connect with audiences. Its greatest strength lies in its musical dimension, its choreography, its recreation of instantly recognizable imagery, and the promise of seeing a figure who remains a global phenomenon back on the big screen. The film hasn’t put an end to the debate about Jackson, but it has shown that the debate remains widespread.
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It remains to be seen how the box office will perform after the initial surge. The opening was massive, but the long-term success of a film of this magnitude will depend on its ability to attract audiences beyond its core fan base. For now, the first step has been taken: “Michael” has turned its theatrical release into a major commercial event.
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