The New King of Biopics: $217 Million and Counting
Move over, Oppenheimer. The Michael biopic box office has officially surpassed the $174 million record set by Christopher Nolan’s 2023 masterpiece, securing the title for the biggest opening weekend ever for a biopic.
Globally, Michael pulled in a staggering $217 million. Here is how that breaks down:
- North America: $97 million
- International: $120.3 million
While it couldn’t quite overtake The Super Mario Galaxy Movie for the #1 debut of 2026, it is currently the second-highest global opening of the year. With a production budget of nearly $200 million (which includes about $15 million in third-act reshoots), the film is now on a clear path to profitability during its theatrical run.
The Great Divide: Fans vs. Critics
If you look at the scores, you’d think you were looking at two different movies. On one hand, audiences are absolutely enamored, giving the film a near-perfect 4.8 out of 5 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. On the other hand, critics have been harsh. Our colleagues at IGN gave the film a 3/10, stating, “Michael does the impossible: It makes the King of Pop boring.”
Beyond the “boring” labels, the film is facing serious accusations of whitewashing. By ending the story in 1988 during the Bad tour, the movie conveniently avoids the high-profile child abuse allegations that defined much of Jackson’s later life.
However, we might not have seen the last of this story. Colman Domingo, who plays the family patriarch Joe Jackson, recently teased that a sequel could potentially deal with those later, more controversial years.
Nintendo and Amazon Hold the Line
While Michael is grabbing the headlines, two other films are showing incredible resilience.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Eyes $1 Billion
After finally launching in Japan this weekend, the Nintendo sequel added another $36.7 million to its international haul. Its global total now stands at $831.4 million. While it’s pacing slightly behind the first film’s record-breaking run, it remains a virtual lock to cross the $1 billion mark in the coming weeks.
Project Hail Mary: The Science Fiction Sleeper Hit
Never count out Ryan Gosling in space. Project Hail Mary added $12.2 million in its sixth weekend, bringing its global total to $613.3 million. The boost comes courtesy of Amazon’s decision to return the film to IMAX theaters.
Co-director Christopher Miller confirmed that fans shouldn’t expect to see this on streaming anytime soon—Amazon is committed to the theatrical experience as long as the numbers keep climbing.
Was the “Safe” Approach the Right Move?
The Michael biopic box office proves that the public’s appetite for MJ’s music and legacy remains untouchable. However, by stopping the story in 1988, the filmmakers have left a massive part of the conversation on the table.
Are you satisfied with the movie focusing purely on the “King of Pop” era, or do you think the film had a responsibility to address the later allegations? And do you think a sequel is the right way to handle the darker parts of his history? Let us know in the comments!
