‘Michael’ Dominates Box Office Debut with $39.5 Million
Lionsgate’s latest film, “Michael,” has made an impressive entrance into the box office, securing the top position with a remarkable opening day gross of $39.5 million. This biopic, chronicling the life of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was released in 3,955 theaters across North America and is expected to generate between $90 million and $100 million by the end of the opening weekend.
Record-Breaking Music Biopic Debut
The film has already achieved a notable milestone by marking the best debut for a music biopic. It surpassed previous records held by “Bohemian Rhapsody” which earned $51 million in 2018, and “Straight Outta Compton,” which brought in $60 million in 2015.
Production Challenges and Budget
- “Michael” had a hefty production budget of $155 million.
- Costs soared due to expensive music rights and elaborate concert sets.
- The Jackson estate had to invest additional millions after a portion of the film was deemed unusable.
The film’s third act, which focused on a 1993 lawsuit involving allegations against Jackson, faced significant edits. Producers discovered a settlement clause that prohibited any mention of the accuser in film or television projects, prompting a change in narrative focus toward Michael Jackson’s relationship with his father, Joe Jackson.
Cast and Crew
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Michael” features Jafaar Jackson, the real-life nephew of the pop icon, in the lead role. Other notable cast members include:
- Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
- Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
- Tre’ Horton as Marlon Jackson
- Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson
- Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson
- Jamal Henderson as Jermaine Jackson
Box Office Competition
“Michael” faced competition from established titles as it debuted. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ranked second, earning $4.5 million on Friday, with forecasts of a total of $20.5 million by Sunday, bringing its domestic earnings to $385 million. Meanwhile, “Project Hail Mary” grossed $3.5 million on Friday and is projected to reach $12.1 million by week’s end, raising its total to $304 million.
Other films in the top five included “The Mummy,” which secured fourth place with $1.9 million on its second Friday. It is anticipated to finish with approximately $5 million, totaling $22 million domestically. “The Drama” rounded out the top five with an estimated gross of $810,000 on Friday, expected to make $2.6 million by Sunday, totaling about $44 million.
