The biographical film Michael has opened strongly at the box office, earning $97 million in North America and setting a new record for music biopics.
The film, based on the life of Michael Jackson, outperformed previous genre hits like Bohemian Rhapsody and Straight Outta Compton.
Internationally, the film added $120.4 million, taking its global opening total to $217.4 million, another record for a music biopic.
Despite early projections of a much lower debut, the film exceeded expectations and drew large audiences worldwide.
The project faced controversy due to Jackson’s legacy, which includes long-standing allegations of child abuse that he denied. He was acquitted in a 2005 trial, but debates around his life have continued.
The film stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, while some family members, including Janet Jackson and Paris Jackson, were not involved in the project.
Production encountered major setbacks, including costly reshoots after legal constraints forced parts of the storyline to be removed. The narrative was later revised to end before the period of allegations.
Critics largely gave negative reviews, but audience response has been more positive, helping drive strong ticket sales.
The film’s success comes alongside a strong box office period, with titles like Project Hail Mary and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie also performing well.
Industry analysts say the film’s performance highlights the enduring global appeal of Michael Jackson, despite ongoing controversies surrounding his legacy.
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