Michael Jackson’s new biopic, Michael, has opened at the global box office with over $100 million on its first day, putting it on track to rank among the biggest film debuts of 2026
- +Michael Jackson’s biopic sets early box office pace grossing $100m in a day
The film, which is about the story of the late pop star, went on to generate $217.4 million worldwide over its opening weekend, according to studio estimates.
The film, which is about the story of the late pop star, went on to generate $217.4 million worldwide over its opening weekend, according to studio estimates. Of that figure, $97 million came from the United States and Canada, while international markets contributed $120.4 million across 82 countries, highlighting the global reach of Jackson’s music and legacy.
Early audience turnout was equally strong. Data from EntTelligence shows about 6.3 million people watched the film in North America during its opening weekend, placing it ahead of competing titles such as Project Hail Mary, which recorded 4.9 million admissions in its debut.
Box office performance grossed high through the weekend. After earning $39.5 million on Friday, including preview screenings, the film brought in $32.5 million on Saturday. When preview figures are excluded, Saturday’s earnings were higher than Friday’s core performance, indicating sustained demand beyond opening-day curiosity.
Premium formats also contributed significantly. IMAX screenings generated $24.4 million globally, making the biggest IMAX opening for a musical biopic. In North America alone, the format accounted for $13.8 million across 427 screens, representing about 14 percent of domestic revenue.
The film’s early performance places it ahead of other recent releases and positions it to surpass the $100 million domestic mark, which would make it the biggest live-action opening of the year so far. And even beyond the ticket sales, Michael has helped overall cinema revenue. The total domestic box office for the weekend is estimated at $154.3 million, up 5 percent from the same period last year. Year-to-date earnings now stand at $2.6 billion, a 17 percent increase.
Despite facing production challenges, including additional filming that increased its budget to about $200 million, the film has still drawn strong audience interest. Much of that momentum has been supported by a wide marketing campaign and continued global interest in Jackson’s catalogue. For now, Michael is delivering strong numbers and showing demand for music biopics
