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| Credit : Michael (2026) |
The biographical film Michael is taking the global box office by storm, despite ongoing controversy surrounding its narrative choices. The film, which stars Jaafar Jackson—nephew of the late pop icon—as Michael Jackson, has faced criticism for ending its story at the 1988 Bad tour and omitting the later allegations of child sexual abuse that surrounded the singer’s life.
Even so, audiences are showing up in huge numbers. Distributed by Lionsgate, Michael has delivered the biggest domestic opening ever for a music biopic, earning an impressive $97.2 million in its debut weekend. This surpasses the previous record set by Straight Outta Compton, which opened with $60.2 million.
The film’s global success has been equally remarkable. Within just 10 days of release, Michael crossed the $300 million mark worldwide, overtaking Elvis ($288.6 million) to become only the second music biopic in history to reach that milestone. The only film ahead of it remains Bohemian Rhapsody, which ultimately grossed a staggering $911 million worldwide.
While Bohemian Rhapsody had a more modest opening weekend ($51.1 million domestically), it demonstrated exceptional staying power at the box office. Whether Michael can replicate that long-term success remains uncertain. The film is projected to see a 48% drop in its second weekend—steeper than Bohemian Rhapsody’s 38.9% decline during the same period.
However, there are strong signs that Michael could continue to perform well. Its opening numbers were significantly higher, giving it a stronger foundation. Additionally, while critics have been lukewarm—reflected in a 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes—audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 97% approval rating, far surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody’s 85%.
Competition may also be influencing its box office trajectory. The release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 on May 1 has introduced a major rival for adult audiences. In contrast, Bohemian Rhapsody faced relatively weak competition during its second weekend, with films like The Girl in the Spider's Web and Overlord failing to make a significant impact.
Looking ahead, the next major theatrical release targeting adult audiences is Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg, which is scheduled to debut on June 12. Until then, Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2 are expected to dominate theaters, each appealing to their respective audiences.
While it remains to be seen whether Michael can surpass Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, its strong opening and audience support suggest it will remain a major force at the box office in the weeks to come.