Michael Jackson Biopic Debuts Atop North America Box Office
The Michael Jackson biopic titled “Michael” debuted at the top of the North America box office this
weekend, earning an estimated $97 million in its opening frame.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson (nephew of the late pop icon) in the title
role, opened in North American theaters on Friday, April 24, 2026.
It recorded a strong $39.5 million on its opening day (including previews), setting a new record for the
biggest opening day for a musical biopic.
Industry estimates released on Sunday, April 26, 2026, show the film achieved the highest opening
weekend ever for a biopic, surpassing the previous record held by “Straight Outta Compton” ($60
million in 2015). It also outperformed “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($51 million opening in 2018).
The movie ranked as the second-biggest debut of 2026 so far, behind “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”.
Globally, including earlier releases in parts of Europe and other territories, “Michael” grossed
approximately $217 million in its first few days of wide release, with around $120 million coming from
international markets.
The PG-13 film covers Michael Jackson’s life from the 1960s through the late 1980s, ending before the
first major allegations of child sexual abuse.
It faced mixed-to-negative reviews from critics but drew strong audience interest, leading to a notable
disconnect between critical reception and box office performance.
Lionsgate distributed the film in the United States, while Universal Pictures handled international
territories.
The strong opening marks a significant commercial success for director Antoine Fuqua, producer
Graham King, and screenwriter John Logan.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
