By Status Ain't Hood Staff
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April 27, 2026
The new musical film Michael has made a historic debut at the global box office, earning $217 million in its opening weekend and setting a new record for a biographical film. Starring Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, the film surpasses previous record-holder Bohemian Rhapsody, which opened with $124 million and featured Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. It also outpaced Oppenheimer, securing the biggest opening weekend ever for a biopic. Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson credited the success to broad audience appeal, noting strong turnout across all demographics. Despite its commercial triumph, Michael has received mixed critical reception. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes shows a stark contrast between critics’ 38% score and audiences’ 97% rating. Some critics argue the film presents a “sanitized” version of Jackson’s life, omitting references to longstanding allegations against the singer. The film, backed by Jackson’s estate, focuses heavily on his music and features his original vocals, while steering clear of the controversies that surrounded his later years. Director Antoine Fuqua revealed that the production underwent significant changes qfter the rediscovery of a non-disclosure agreement tied to accuser Jordan Chandler. Originally planned scenes addressing allegations were removed, and the story now concludes in 1988, before such issues arose. The film instead highlights Jackson’s career and his complex relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson, portrayed by Colman Domingo. With a reported $200 million budget, Michael ranks among the most expensive biopics ever made and continues Hollywood’s trend of successful music-driven films inspired by icons like the creator of Thriller.