Michael Jackson Film Grosses $217.3 Million in Opening Weekend, Securing Spot Among Top 10 Music Biopics
The highly anticipated film Michael, centered on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, has achieved remarkable success, grossing $217.3 million worldwide during its opening weekend. This impressive figure places the film at No. 3 on the list of music biopics with the highest worldwide grosses, as reported by Box Office Mojo.
Record-Breaking Domestic Earnings
In the United States and Canada alone, Michael earned $97 million, marking the highest opening weekend for a music biopic in history. This surpasses the previous record held by Straight Outta Compton, which grossed $60 million during its debut in 2015. The film’s domestic earnings are more than four times that of the 2009 concert film Michael Jackson’s This Is It, which opened with $23.2 million.
Notable Production Team
The film was co-produced by Graham King, alongside Jackson’s long-time associates John Branca and John McClain. King is also known for his work on Bohemian Rhapsody, which holds the title of the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, with a worldwide gross of $910.8 million.
Highest-Grossing Music Biopics
Michael joins an elite group of films that have achieved significant box office success. The following are some of the highest-grossing biopics centered on musicians:
- Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): $910.8 million
- Elvis (2022): $288.7 million
- Michael (2026): $217.3 million (to date)
- Straight Outta Compton (2015): $201.6 million
- Rocketman (2019): $195.3 million
Other notable entries include Ray (2004) with $124 million, La Vie En Rose (2019) at $87.5 million, and I Can Only Imagine (2018) which grossed $86.1 million.
Critical Reception and Future Prospects
While Michael has garnered significant box office success, early reviews have been mixed. Critics have praised Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of his uncle, Michael Jackson, but have noted that the storytelling may feel sanitized. The film covers a pivotal two-decade period in Jackson’s life, from 1966 to 1988, showcasing his rise from a talented child in Gary, Indiana, to a global superstar.
As the film continues to perform well at the box office, it remains to be seen how high it will climb on the list of top-grossing music biopics.
For more detailed insights into the highest-grossing music biopics, visit Billboard.
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Published on 2026-04-27 00:18:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk