Michael Jackson biopic shatters opening weekend records

The film is co-produced by the Jackson estate and stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson

Jaafar Jackson in the role of Michael Jackson.

Michael, the big-budget Michael Jackson biopic, has shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with a $97m opening in North American theaters, contributing to its enormous $217m (€185m) worldwide box office and shattering the record for the biggest biopic opening of all time.

The film, a highly authorised portrayal of the “king of pop” that was co-produced by the Jackson estate and stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, took $120m internationally and $97m domestic – combining to surpass Oppenheimer’s $180m worldwide opening weekend in 2023 and Bohemian Rhapsody’s $124m in 2018.