Michael Jackson Movie Has Epic Debut In The Theatres

Michael Jackson Movie Has Epic Debut In The Theatres. After so many Michael movies, some people were skeptical about another one. However, according to people who have seen the movie, it gets great reviews. To top it off, many are showing up at theaters dressed in different Michael outfits. Clearly, the people have spoken. They still love Michael.

Michael Moonwalks to Historic $217 Million Global Opening

The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has officially shattered records during its opening weekend. Despite a mixed critical reception, the film has proven to be an unstoppable force at the box office, demonstrating that the King of Pop’s global appeal remains as potent as ever.

A Record-Breaking Debut

Released in theaters on April 24, 2026, the film delivered an “epic” performance that exceeded even the most optimistic studio projections.

• Domestic Success: The film earned a staggering $97 million in the United States and Canada, surpassing the previous record for a music biopic opening held by Straight Outta Compton.

• Global Dominance: Internationally, the film pulled in another $120.4 million, bringing its total worldwide debut to $217.4 million.

• UK Milestone: In the United Kingdom, it nearly doubled the opening of the previous biopic heavyweight, Bohemian Rhapsody, taking in £11.6 million.

Michael | Official Trailer

The Performance and the Cast

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, the film features a standout performance by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, who has been praised for his uncanny ability to capture his uncle’s stage presence.

The supporting cast includes:

• Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson

• Nia Long as Katherine Jackson

• Miles Teller as John Branca

• Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael

Critical Backlash vs. Audience Acclaim

While the film is a commercial triumph, it has faced a “thriller” of a time with critics. Many reviews have slammed the movie for its “authorized” nature, noting that the narrative concludes in 1988 and avoids the significant controversies and legal allegations that emerged later in Jackson’s life.

“The film traces Michael Jackson’s journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global solo star… offering a closer look at the artist behind the phenomenon.” — India Today

Despite a low critic score on Rotten Tomatoes (currently sitting around 38%), fans have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, awarding the film an “A-” CinemaScore.

What’s Next?

Due to the film’s massive success, Lionsgate and the Jackson Estate are already reportedly discussing the possibility of a sequel. For those who missed it in IMAX or standard theaters, the film is expected to hit digital platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV by mid-June 2026.

With such a dominant start, Michael is now firmly on course to potentially become the first music biopic to cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office.

With the film only covering up to 1988, do you think a sequel focusing on his later years would be as successful or too controversial?

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