Michael Moonwalks to Record-Breaking $200M+ Box Office Opening

Michael has the world dancing at the box office, as Jaafar Jackson’s turn as his late uncle Michael Jackson powers the Lionsgate biopic to a record-shattering opening weekend. The domestic haul and overseas performance together signal where the studio stands heading into the summer movie season.

Michael box office almost hits $100 million on opening weekend

Michael debuted with $97 million domestically and $217.4 million globally across 82 international territories, according to Box Office Mojo. The Lionsgate biopic about Michael Jackson claimed the record for the biggest opening weekend ever for a musical biopic, beating 2015’s Straight Outta Compton ($60.2 million).

Antoine Fuqua directed the film, which stars Jaafar Jackson as his uncle Michael Jackson, alongside Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Joe and Katherine Jackson. Notably, the biopic carries a price tag near $200 million, making it one of the most expensive biopics ever produced.

Meanwhile, international markets contributed $120.3 million across 23,459 locations, with Universal handling the offshore distribution. Specifically, the United Kingdom and Ireland led international territories with $15.6 million, followed by France with $10.2 million and Mexico with $9.8 million.

Audiences awarded Michael an “A-” CinemaScore and a 97% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics gave it a 38% Tomatometer score. PostTrak data showed ticket buyers were 61% female, with 66% aged 25 or older. Imax screenings generated $13.8 million domestically and $24.5 million globally.

Lionsgate’s motion picture chair Adam Fogelson said, “You don’t deliver this number unless you’re seeing huge numbers across every conceivable demographic. They’re clearly having a blast, and that bodes well for a lovely multiple” (via Variety).

Producer Graham King told Deadline, “I am over the moon that this film brought people together just like Michael did through his performances and music.”

Meanwhile, Universal’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie finished second domestically with $21.2 million, pushing its global cume past $800 million. Additionally, Project Hail Mary placed third with $13.2 million, lifting its worldwide total to $613 million.

Ultimately, Michael marks Lionsgate’s biggest opening since 2015’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, which debuted to $102 million.

Source: Comingsoon.net