The controversial Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is projected to achieve the second biggest domestic opening weekend of 2026, with estimates ranging between $90 million and $100 million. The film, starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, grossed nearly $40 million on its opening day in U.S. theaters on Friday.
Box Office Performance
According to Deadline, the weekend haul would place 'Michael' behind 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' ($131 million) but ahead of 'Project Hail Mary' ($80 million) in March. The film has defied harsh critical reviews, achieving a 38% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes (rated "Rotten") but a 97% audience score ("Fresh").
Audience Reception
Despite accusations of "whitewashing" Jackson's legacy by ending the story in 1988, before child sexual abuse allegations surfaced, the film has resonated with general audiences. On IMDb, it holds a 7.6/10 rating, while Letterboxd users average 3.6 out of 5 stars. Critics, however, have been less kind. In a one-star review for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey described the film as "an act of allegiance" rather than a genuine exploration of Jackson's life.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua ('Training Day') and produced by Graham King ('Bohemian Rhapsody'), is now playing in theaters nationwide.
