Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson Biopic Projected to Earn $217 Million in Opening Weekend

Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has collected roughly $217 million in its opening weekend, exceeding initial expectations and marking a significant box office performance for the studio.

The film opened with $97 million domestically and $120.4 million internationally, resulting in a global total of $217.4 million, according to studio estimates reported on Sunday.

This opening positions “Michael” as the highest-grossing debut for a music biopic, surpassing previous records set by films such as “Straight Outta Compton” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Domestically, it also represents the best opening for a biopic, outperforming “Oppenheimer” in unadjusted figures.

The strong performance comes despite earlier projections that had placed the film’s opening closer to $50 million, with estimates rising to around $70 million prior to the weekend’s release.

Lionsgate noted that the film’s success was bolstered by strong international distribution, with Universal handling release in most markets outside North America.

The opening weekend also set records for IMAX screenings, with $24.4 million generated worldwide from the format, including $13.8 million from North American theaters.

Box office analysts highlighted the film’s hold over Saturday, noting a 21% increase compared to Friday’s actual daytime earnings when excluding preview screenings, indicating strong audience retention.

The performance marks Lionsgate’s best domestic debut since the pandemic and ranks as the studio’s sixth-largest opening of all time.

Industry observers noted that the film’s success represents a pivotal moment for Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson, particularly given the production challenges associated with the Jackson estate and the need for additional shooting days to address sensitive content.

The estate covered the costs of the 20 days of extra filming, contributing to a net production cost of $200 million for the biopic.

As of Sunday afternoon, the film was on track to potentially exceed $100 million in domestic earnings, depending on Monday’s performance, which would make it the top live-action opening of the year to date.