Lionsgate’s highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ has exploded out of the gates, delivering the biggest opening weekend in history for any biographical film. Released in North America on April 24, 2026, the Antoine Fuqua-directed drama starring Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop hauled in $97.2 million domestically and a staggering $218.8 million worldwide in its first frame, obliterating previous records and instantly becoming one of the year’s biggest cinematic events.
According to final weekend figures from Box Office Mojo, the film posted a precise domestic opening of $97,206,874, accounting for 44.4% of its current global haul of $218,830,874. International markets, which began rolling out as early as April 21 in select territories, contributed $121.6 million, led by strong performances in the UK ($15.6 million), Mexico ($9.7 million), Brazil ($8.1 million), and France ($9.8 million).
Michael didn’t just succeed, it rewrote the record books. Its domestic debut crushed the previous biopic opening-weekend high of $60 million set by Straight Outta Compton in 2015. It also dwarfed Bohemian Rhapsody’s $51 million start in 2018 and outpaced even Oppenheimer’s global opening in several comparisons.
Produced on an estimated $200 million budget, Michael marks a major win for Lionsgate. It is the studio’s biggest opening since the Hunger Games era and positions the film to potentially become its highest-grossing title outside that franchise. Early projections suggest Michael could sail past $700 million worldwide, driven by strong word-of-mouth and its feel-good, nostalgic tone focused on Jackson’s rise from the Jackson 5 through the 1980s Thriller era.
Whats Next
With no major wide releases competing in the immediate weeks, Michael is poised for a sturdy second weekend. Its global footprint, already strong in Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia, signals sustained legs, especially in markets hungry for Jackson’s timeless music catalog brought to the big screen.
In an era where original musical dramas rarely dominate, Michael has proven that the right combination of star power, spectacle, and cultural nostalgia can still fill theaters. Jaafar Jackson’s transformative performance as his uncle has not only launched a potential franchise but also given the Jackson estate a massive, authorized victory lap at the box office. The King of Pop may be gone, but on screens worldwide, Michael Jackson is very much alive, and raking in the cash.