By Wellington Jopelo
The new Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has delivered a surprising surge at the global box office, pulling in about $217 million (£160m) in its opening weekend.
The result places it at the top of all biographical film debuts, setting a new record in the genre.
The film features Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s nephew, in the lead role and has quickly gained strong international attention since its release.
It has now moved ahead of earlier major biopics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Oppenheimer,” which previously held some of the strongest opening figures in recent years.
Despite its commercial success, reactions from critics have been far less positive, creating a clear divide between professional reviews and audience response.
Review platforms show a 38% critic score, while audience ratings are much higher at around 97%, pointing to strong fan engagement.
A senior figure at distributor Lionsgate, Adam Fogelson, said the turnout reflects wide audience excitement and strong global interest in the project.
The film continues the recent Hollywood trend of music-based biopics, joining titles that focus on major global stars like Elvis Presley, Queen, and Whitney Houston.
Production of the movie was expensive and reportedly cost around $200 million (£148m), with delays and reshoots adding pressure behind the scenes.
As it rolls out across more markets, the film is expected to remain a major talking point due to its record-breaking start and divided reception.