Congratulations! Michael Jackson’s ‘Michael’ biopic debuted with the biggest global opening ever seen after the movie grossed $217.4 million in its debut.
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The biopic, which hit theaters on Friday, April 24, outgrossed nearly all of the films so far released in 2026. Before this, on Tuesday (April 21), Rotten Tomatoes debuted the film with a 27% score (on the Tomatometer) after critics left lousy reviews.
However, the film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has since moonwalked itself to a record-smashing $97 million domestic opening and a $120.4 million foreign launch — for a comprised $217.4 million global debut.
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‘Michael’ Biopic Reportedly Produced With $200M Budget, Grosses $217.4M During Global Opening
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate reports that ‘Michael’ grossed over $30 million more than projected in North America. Additionally, the film was reportedly produced with a $200 million budget, making it one of the most expensive biopics ever made.
Furthermore, the achievement means the film has become the biggest global opening of all time for any biopic. And as far as music biopics go, ‘Michael’ stole the show from N.W.A.’s ’Straight Outta Compton,’ which opened with $60.1 million, and Freddie Mercury’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ which opened with $55 million.
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THR also reports that ‘Michael’ achieved another feat by becoming Lionsgate’s best debut since the pandemic and its sixth-biggest debut ever. The film surpassed the opening of 2026’s ‘Project Hail Mary;’ and had the second-biggest launch for 2026 in North America, following Universal and Illuminations’ ’Super Mario’ sequel.
The film, which Michael Jackson’s estate endorsed, features his nephew Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Larenz Tate, Kendrick Sampson, Derek Luke, Miles Teller, Mike Myers, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, and many more. Note: Producers ultimately removed Kat Graham’s scenes following legal issues.
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