Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Shatters Records with $217M Global Opening Despite Controversy

The big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle 'Michael' shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with USD 97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering the record debut for music biopics. International sales were also strong, with the film collecting USD 120.4 million overseas, giving it a USD 217.4 million global opening — a new high for a music biopic. Universal Pictures handled distribution in most international markets.

Highest-Earning Music Biopic

A highly authorized portrayal of the King of Pop, co-produced by the Jackson estate, 'Michael' far surpassed previous biopic top performers such as 'Straight Outta Compton' (USD 60.2 million debut in 2015) and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (USD 51 million in 2018). Even in the lucrative market of music biopics, 'Michael' was an audacious bet by Lionsgate on an extraordinarily popular but controversial figure. The reputation of Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, has been repeatedly tarnished by allegations of sexual abuse of children. He was acquitted in his sole criminal trial in 2005.

Some Jackson family members opposed the film. Janet Jackson was uninvolved and does not appear in it. Jackson's daughter, Paris, called it 'fantasy land.' But three years after 'Leaving Neverland,' the 2009 documentary about Jackson's alleged sexual abuse of children, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' producer Graham King announced plans for the biopic. Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was cast to star.

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Production Hurdles

'Michael' had an unusually rocky production. After shooting was completed, producers realized they had made a costly mistake. The third act focused on the accusations of Jordan Chandler, then 13 years old, whom Jackson paid USD 23 million to in a 1994 settlement. The terms of that settlement barred the Jackson estate from ever mentioning Chandler in a movie. A huge chunk of the film had to be cut. Reshoots costing as much as USD 50 million were done at the estate's expense. Director Antoine Fuqua and screenwriter John Logan reworked the movie to conclude in 1988, before any accusations were made.

Yet as bad as things once looked, the movie turned into a hit. The film's total production cost came close to USD 200 million. To defray costs, Lionsgate sold international distribution rights to Universal. A sequel, while not yet announced, is expected.

Poor Reviews but Strong Audience Response

Critics slammed the film for glossing over some of the less convenient aspects of Jackson's life. It scored a paltry 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences were far more enthusiastic. 'Michael' earned an 'A-' CinemaScore.

Top 5 Highest-Earning Films at US Box Office

In second place at the US and Canadian box office was 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', with another USD 21.2 million. After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has hauled in over USD 775 million at the global box office, according to Exhibitor Relations.

Third place went to the hit sci-fi adventure comedy 'Project Hail Mary', with USD 13.2 million. The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly USD 600 million worldwide in an extended theatrical run.

In fourth place with USD 5.6 million was 'Lee Cronin's The Mummy', an original horror flick from Warner Bros about a young girl possessed by a demon in an ancient mummification ritual.

Fifth place went to 'The Drama', the romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding. The film took in an additional USD 2.6 million, for a global box office haul of USD 80 million.