Michael Jackson Biopic Shatters Records

The new Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," has achieved an astonishing opening weekend, generating over $88 million and surpassing Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" to set a new record for the genre. The film's impressive performance includes a $41 million earning on its opening day, making it the highest-grossing opening day of 2026 so far.

This box office success significantly exceeded industry projections of $65 million. The strong turnout is attributed to the enduring devotion of Michael Jackson's fanbase. The film's success extends the current positive momentum at the box office, which has been bolstered by hits like "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" and "Project Hail Mary."

While critics offered a mixed reception, particularly regarding its handling of darker aspects of Jackson's life, audiences have responded overwhelmingly positively. The film received an A- CinemaScore and a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This strong fan reception is crucial for the film's continued success and marks a significant milestone for Lionsgate, representing their best opening since "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2" in 2015.

Meanwhile, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" continues its strong run, adding $20.5 million in its fourth weekend to reach $385 million domestically and surpassing $800 million worldwide. "Project Hail Mary" also shows remarkable staying power, earning an estimated $13 million in its sixth weekend and maintaining a high screen count, a feat not seen since late 2024.