Box Office: ‘Michael’ Starts Strong With $39.5 Million; Expected to Shatter Record for Best Music Biopic Opening
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Michael opens with $39.5 million on Friday across 3,955 theaters, projecting a $90M–$100M domestic weekend, per Lionsgate
- Lionsgate bets $155 million on 'Michael', including steep music rights and reshoot costs after legal issues voided the original third act
- Jackson estate pays tens of millions more after producers discover a settlement clause blocking depiction of the 1993 abuse allegations, forcing a narrative pivot to Joe Jackson’s control
Why it matters: Lionsgate gains a potential $206M+ global opening, critical for recouping its $155M bet, but the film’s avoidance of abuse allegations risks long-term reputational backlash from audiences and critics who question its historical integrity.
