The biopic ‘Michael’ has grossed $97 million in its opening weekend, setting a record for music biopics. Released on May 3, 2026, the film portrays Michael Jackson’s life from 1966 to 1988, ending five years before the first allegations of sexual abuse.
Box office records:
- ‘Michael’ surpassed the previous record for biggest opening weekend for a music biopic held by ‘Straight Outta Compton’, which grossed $60.2 million in 2015.
- The film broke the record for biggest general biopic opening, previously held by ‘Oppenheimer’ with $82.4 million in 2023.
- So far, ‘Michael’ has grossed over $400 million worldwide.
Critics have mostly panned the film, accusing it of whitewashing Jackson’s life and the allegations against him. Spike Lee praised the film and criticized critics for focusing on events outside its timeline. He stated, “People showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love [of] Michael.” Colman Domingo added that the film centers on Jackson’s music and his intimate struggles.
Despite negative reviews from major publications, ‘Michael’ has become a huge hit at the box office. The film’s final version focuses on Jackson’s music career and his relationship with his abusive father. Officials have not confirmed whether a sequel will address any of the abuse allegations against Jackson.
The film originally intended to depict Jackson being accused of molesting 13-year-old Jordan Chandler in 1993 but removed this plot due to a legal settlement. Michael Jackson was acquitted of all charges related to allegations of molestation in 2005. The second part of the biopic may explore these themes further.