Michael biopic shatters music-film opening records

The Michael biopic Michael roared into theaters this weekend, banking $97 million in the U.S. and Canada and $217 million worldwide, setting a new record for a music biopic on opening. The film easily surpassed Straight Outta Compton’s $60 million debut and Bohemian Rhapsody’s $51 million, underscoring the appetite for large-scale music biopics. It also stands as the second biggest U.S. opening of the year, trailing only The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The production stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, delivering a glossy, high-energy musical showcase that aims to transport audiences into the era of Jackson's peak stardom.

Yet the box office glow is tempered by fierce critical chatter. Reviewers have accused the film of whitewashing Jackson's legacy by ending in 1988, before the allegations and controversies that would cloud his career. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics' score sits at 38%, while audiences have given the film a 97% Fresh rating, highlighting a stark divide between critics and the public.

The opening numbers add new pressure on studios to balance spectacle with accountability when telling the stories of pop icons. Despite the dissent, the film's audience turnout signals a robust appetite for jukebox musicals and performance-driven storytelling.

As the weekend totals continue to roll in, analysts will watch how the film performs overseas and in subsequent weeks.

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