Box Office Milestones and Records

The Michael Jackson biopic has achieved a global box office milestone, grossing $570 million as of May 8, 2026. It is now the second-highest-grossing music biopic of all time, trailing only 2018’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ which earned $903.6 million worldwide, according to ScreenRant and Box Office Mojo. Domestically, ‘Michael’ has earned $240.5 million, making it the highest-grossing music biopic in North America, surpassing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’s $216.4 million total.

Despite a 32.9% drop in its third weekend, ‘Michael’ still grossed $36.5 million in North America, outperforming other major films like ‘Oppenheimer,’ which earned $29.1 million in its third weekend. Internationally, the film has collected $336.9 million across 82 markets, with a 32.1% decline to $58.5 million in its third weekend — the film has yet to open in South Korea and Japan, where it could see significant growth.

With a production budget of $155 million, ‘Michael’ has already achieved profitability by the standard rule of returning double or triple its budget, according to MovieWeb. The film’s strong performance. Both domestically and internationally. Indicates that it has significant room for further growth before its theatrical run concludes.

Audience Reactions and Cultural Impact

Despite mixed critical reviews. With a 35 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and some criticism for its lack of depth in addressing Jackson’s controversies, the film has sparked a unique cultural phenomenon in theaters. As reported by Musikexpress. Fans have begun dancing during showings, turning some screenings into spontaneous Michael Jackson tribute events, and this has sparked debate on social media, with some praising the immersive experience and others criticizing the disruption.

In Germany, ‘Michael’ drew approximately 385,000 viewers in its most recent weekend, according to InsideKino, despite the early summer weather and the lack of major marketing in the region. The film’s broad appeal and emotional resonance with Jackson’s global fanbase have driven its success, even in markets where it has not yet been heavily.

Controversies and Omissions in the Biopic

While the film has been praised for its visual grandeur and musical performances, it has also drawn criticism for omitting key figures in Michael Jackson’s life. As reported by FILMSTARTS, the film does not include appearances from Janet Jackson, who played a significant role in Michael’s life and career, nor does it feature his youngest brother, Randy Jackson, or his oldest sister, Rebbie Jackson. This has sparked debate among Jackson fans, who question why such important family members were excluded from the narrative.

Some critics have also noted that the film’s portrayal of Jackson’s later life avoids in-depth discussion of the legal and personal controversies he faced. The original ending of the film was reportedly scrapped and re-shot to remove content related to the allegations against Jackson, according to MovieWeb. This has led to questions about the film’s approach to presenting a balanced and unvarnished portrait of the pop icon.