Michael Biopic Sets Box Office Records with Star-Studded Cast and Controversial Narrative

By  Published Apr 21, 2026, 4:42 PM EDT Jeff Dodge (he/him), a published author and graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena. Fun Fact: he’s been to every single Idol Live! Tour. follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

With just days to go until is released in theaters, the music biopic's opening weekend projections have surged.

According to , Michael is projected to gross $150 million globally on opening weekend.

Domestically, the film is on track to earn anywhere from $65 million to $70 million (after previous tracking numbers estimated $50 million to $60 million) and an international haul of $75 million to $80 million. As recently as early April, projections had previously leaned toward a $60 million opening weekend.

If this latest projection holds, Michael will have a larger domestic opening than (which debuted to $60.2 million and $51 million, respectively), breaking a new record for the genre.

Michael's latest opening weekend projections come as the film is receiving a largely negative reception from critics, who have given the film a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some of the more unfavorable reviews complained that Michael is an incomplete film that blindly worships a flawed human being and creates a narrative that the filmmaking team wants moviegoers to see.

On the flip side, Jaafar Jackson's electrifying and entertaining performance as the King of Pop has been praised by critics. with a rating of 9 out of 10.

, including his time as a member of the Jackson 5 and the start of his solo career, where he released numerous hits that have become some of the most iconic pop songs of all time, like "Beat It," "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."

These tracks, plus 10 more from Jackson's catalog, will be released as part of the movie's soundtrack that comes out the same day as the film, which reportedly ends in the '80s at the height of the singer's stardom.

Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Jamal R. Henderson, Tre Horton, Rhyan Hill, Joseph David-Jones, Jessica Sula, Kendrick Sampson and Larenz Tate star in the film with Jackson.

There have been discussions about Lionsgate releasing a sequel that would focus on Jackson's later years.

If that comes to fruition, then another installment might mitigate some of the criticism surrounding the decision to exclude the singer's scandals that overshadowed his music career, assuming the filmmakers decide to cover the allegations against Jackson, which is not a guarantee considering his estate has a financial stake in the film.

Lionsgate greenlighting a sequel will largely depend on how financially lucrative the first film ends up being for the studio.

Michael won't have any major competition on opening weekend, aside from previous releases like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary. But come May, the biopic will have to contend with the highly anticipated release of , as well as Mortal Kombat II.

Michael will be released in theaters on Friday, April 24, 2026.

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