The moonwalk has officially landed in theaters, and the numbers are staggering. Michael, the highly anticipated biopic starring the singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, has claimed the crown for the biggest worldwide opening weekend in biopic history.
Since its Wednesday debut, the film has raked in a massive $217 million, easily eclipsing previous heavyweights in the genre.
| Film | Opening Weekend (Global) | Genre Category |
| Michael (2025) | $217 Million | Musical Biopic |
| Oppenheimer (2024) | $180 Million | Historical Biopic |
| Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) | $124 Million | Musical Biopic |
Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson noted that the film’s success is rooted in its universal appeal, stating that the data shows “huge numbers across every conceivable demographic.”
A Tale of Two Ratings
While the box office is singing, critics are a bit more out of tune. The film has highlighted a massive “populist gap” in reception, with many professional reviewers suggesting the script offers a “sanitized” look at the superstar’s controversial life.
- Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 38%
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%
“You don’t deliver this figure unless… [audiences] are clearly having a blast.” — Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate
The Biopic Boom
The triumph of Michael cements a decade-long trend in Hollywood. Following the success of films centered on Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, and J. Robert Oppenheimer, studios now view the biopic as one of the few “sure things” left in the theatrical market. For now, Michael Jackson remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of the genre.
