The King of Pop has reclaimed his throne at the local cinema. «Michael», the highly anticipated biopic from Lionsgate chronicling the life of Michael Jackson, has taken the global box office by storm, Variety reports.
The film secured $97 mln in North America and $217 mln worldwide during its opening weekend. This marks the most successful debut for a biopic in cinematic history, easily eclipsing the previous record held by 2015’s «Straight Outta Compton» ($60 mln) and dwarfing the $51 mln opening of 2018’s «Bohemian Rhapsody».
Defying the critics
Only a month prior, industry tracking suggested «Michael» would open to a modest $50 mln to $60 mln. However, the film’s financial triumph comes in stark contrast to its critical reception.
A mere 38% of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are positive, yet audiences have completely ignored the press. Exit polls from CinemaScore reveal a stellar «A-» grade from viewers. According to PostTrak data, women made up 61% of ticket buyers and 66% of the crowd was aged 25 or above.
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s motion picture group, noted that such figures are only possible when a film appeals to a broad spectrum of demographics, pointing toward a highly lucrative theatrical run.
Casting and script changes
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film traces Jackson’s journey from his early years in the Jackson 5 to his status as a global superstar. Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s actual nephew, makes his acting debut playing his uncle alongside Colman Domingo and Nia Long.
Critics have primarily taken issue with the film’s sanitised narrative, specifically its omission of the child sexual abuse allegations that were levelled against Jackson later in his life. Originally, the script did feature scenes dramatising a 1993 lawsuit. However, producers were forced to scrap these sequences after uncovering a settlement clause that strictly prohibited any depiction or mention of the accuser.
Consequently, the third act underwent extensive rewrites and the story now concludes following the 1988 Bad tour. Reports suggest Lionsgate is already planning at least one follow-up film to cover the remainder of Jackson’s life.
A premium theatrical hit
Carrying a production budget of roughly $200 mln, «Michael» ranks among the most expensive biographical films ever made. The immense cost was shared between Lionsgate, Universal and the Michael Jackson estate. Despite the behind-the-scenes hurdles, the investment is paying off, marking Lionsgate’s biggest launch since 2015.
The film excels by heavily recreating iconic concert performances. Electrifying renditions of «Billie Jean», «Thriller» and «Beat It» drove fans to premium large formats. IMAX screenings alone generated $13.8 mln domestically and $24.5 mln worldwide, setting a new company record for a musical biopic. While critics feel the film avoids the darker chapters of Jackson’s life, everyday moviegoers are treating it as a nostalgic, feel-good celebration.
