NEW YORK (AP) — The new movie “Michael,” a big-budget biopic about Michael Jackson, had a phenomenal opening weekend. It made an impressive $97 million in the U.S. and Canada alone, setting a record for music biopics. This film has quickly outdone past hits like “Straight Outta Compton” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Globally, the film also did well, bringing in $120.4 million from international markets. This gives it a stunning total of $217.4 million worldwide, a first for any music biopic. Universal Pictures handled most of the international releases.
Before its launch, early estimates for “Michael” were around $50 million. By the weekend, that number had jumped to about $70 million, but the film blew past those predictions.
According to Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate, the studio saw high engagement across various audience groups leading up to the release. “We were optimistic,” he said, reflecting on the anticipation surrounding the film.
Despite its success, “Michael” faced challenges given Jackson’s complex legacy. Jackson, who passed away in 2009, was often clouded by allegations of abuse, which have tarnished his reputation. However, the film focuses on his artistic journey rather than these controversies.
While some within Jackson’s family, like his sister Janet and daughter Paris, voiced concerns about the film, the project moved forward. Paris described it as “fantasy land,” hinting at her skepticism about how his story was told.
The production of “Michael” encountered significant hurdles. After filming wrapped, producers realized they had to cut a significant part that dealt with past allegations. This led to costly reshoots, driving up the budget to around $200 million. The team ultimately decided to reshape the narrative and focus on Jackson’s life up until 1988, leaving out much of the controversy.
Critically, the film has received mixed reviews. It earned a low score of 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, while viewers rated it more favorably, giving it an “A-” CinemaScore. Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore noted that the movie’s release was well-timed before the bustling summer movie season.
“Michael” contributed to a strong spring for cinema. Other box office successes include “Project Hail Mary” and the popular “Super Mario Galaxy Movie.”
Box Office Rankings:
According to Comscore, here are the top-performing films in North America for the weekend:
- “Michael,” $97 million
- “Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” $21.2 million
- “Project Hail Mary,” $13.2 million
- “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy,” $5.6 million
- “The Drama,” $2.6 million
As Hollywood continues to rebound, “Michael” stands as both a financial triumph and a reminder of the complexities surrounding celebrity and legacy, especially in the age of social media where public opinion can shift rapidly. It will be interesting to see how future projects around Jackson evolve.
For further reading on the social impact of biopics, you can visit Pew Research Center.
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Movies, Michael Jackson, Graham King, Music, Media and entertainment industry, General news, California, Janet Jackson, Canada, Adam Fogelson, Arts and entertainment, U.S. news, Lee Cronin, Jordan Chandler, John Logan, Paul Dergarabedian, Antoine Fuqua, U.S. News
