The Michael Jackson biopic. Michael, has set new box office records with a staggering $40 million North American debut, according to Volkstimme and Filmstarts. The film. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, is projected to earn $90,100 million by the weekend and could reach $200 million globally.

A Box Office Sensation

According to Filmstarts. Michael shattered preview records with $12,13 million in pre-showing revenue alone—surpassing the previous biopic record held by Oppenheimer (10.5 million). If this momentum holds, the film could gross $65–70 million in its first weekend in North America, breaking the record for the highest-grossing music biopic debut, previously held by Straight Outta Compton (60.2 million). Some analysts even predict the film could cross $80 million.

International box office numbers also point to record-breaking performance. The film’s world premiere took place in Berlin on April 10, attended by Jackson family members, including Jaafar Jackson, who plays Michael in the film. The film’s global earnings are expected to reach $200 million, according to Volkstimme.

A Biopic with a Narrow Scope

The film, which was delayed multiple times and originally scheduled to debut in 2023, offers a sanitized look at the late pop star, avoiding controversial topics such as the child sexual abuse allegations made against Jackson. According to Clarin.com, the film omits any reference to these allegations, including the 1993 Jordan Chandler case, which led to a $23 million out-of-court settlement. A non-disclosure agreement Jackson had with Chandler’s family prohibited any mention of him in the film.

The film ends in 1988, before the allegations surfaced. The final third of the script was rewritten after the discovery of the agreement. As a result, the film provides a narrow, family-approved portrayal of Jackson’s life, focusing on his rise to fame and the success of his Thriller album, the best-selling album in history.

Jaafar Jackson plays the adult version of his uncle, while the younger years are portrayed by Evan Ross. Original vocals from Michael Jackson are used for the musical numbers. The estate of Michael Jackson provided financial backing and creative oversight for the project.

Critical Reception and Audience Reaction

While the film has been a box office success, critical reception has been mixed. According to SWR3, the film is most appealing to fans and those who grew up with Jackson’s music. Film critic Noah Badjie noted that the film is “clearly intended to honor Michael Jackson.”

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 38% critics score and a much higher 97% audience score, according to BBC. Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate, the film’s US distributor, said the film’s success is due to broad audience appeal across all demographics.

Despite its polished visuals and strong musical sequences, some critics noted a lack of depth in key scenes, such as Michael’s relationship with his mother. Colman Domingo, who plays Jackson’s father, received strong praise for his performance, as did Miles Teller, who portrays a lawyer and manager in the film.