‘Michael’ Opens to $217 Million Worldwide, Sets U.S. Record for Musical Biopics

Overview

• The film, released wide over the April 23–26 weekend, earned about $217 million globally with $97 million in the U.S., marking the biggest domestic opening ever for a music biopic.
• In Brazil, Comscore reported R$30.09 million and 1.23 million tickets, the year’s largest opening so far, which lifted the country’s weekend box office by roughly 51.7%.
• The production, authorized by Michael Jackson’s estate, carried a reported $200 million budget shared with Universal and Lionsgate, and industry reporting says a legal deal barred depicting the 1993 case, shaping what the film shows.
• Critical reception skewed negative with roughly 38% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences graded the movie A- on CinemaScore, signaling a sharp split.
• The breakout also boosted Jackson’s music, with Billie Jean reaching No. 6 on Spotify’s global chart and several other tracks reentering the worldwide top 200.