Michael Jackson Biopic Debuts Atop N. America Box Office

aafar Jackson attends Lionsgate’s “Michael” Los Angeles premiere at Dolby Theatre on April 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Savion Washington/Getty Images for Lionsgate/AFP (Photo by Savion Washington / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)     Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672569656851-0"); }); ‘Michael’, the much-anticipated biopic about the late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted atop the North American box office this weekend with a thrilling $97 million, industry estimates showed Sunday. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, chronicles the legendary artist’s rise from a child star to one of the world’s most famous pop icons. In the starring role is Jaafar Jackson, the pop star’s nephew. “This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography,” said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672569913499-0"); }); READ ALSO: Michael Jackson Fans Pack Hollywood For Biopic Premiere The film has strong audience approval, “playing as a feel-good, nostalgic appreciation,” he said, but “reviews are weak.” “Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer’s life, including allegations of sexual misbehaviour,” Gross said, while noting a Part 2 is in the works. With the film already released in Europe, it has taken in nearly $220 million globally, according to Exhibitor Relations. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672587799169-0"); }); In second place at the US and Canadian box office was “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” with another $21.2 million. After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has hauled in over $775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported. Third place went to Amazon MGM’s hit sci-fi adventure comedy “Project Hail Mary,” with $13.2 million. The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly $600 million worldwide in an extended theatrical run. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672587060870-0"); }); In fourth place with $5.6 million was “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy,” an original horror flick from Warner Bros about a young girl possessed by a demon in an ancient mummification ritual. Fifth place went to “The Drama,” A24’s romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unravelling just before their wedding. The film took in an additional $2.6 million, bringing its global box office haul to $80 million.   Rounding out the top 10:   “Hoppers” ($1.9 million) “You, Me & Tuscany” ($1.5 million) “Over Your Dead Body” ($1.4 million) “I Swear” ($640,000) “Normal” ($625,000)   Join Our Whatsapp Channel To join: Simply click on the link below & turn on notifications to get the latest updates Subscribe to Our Newsletter In This Article: Hollywood Michael Jackson More Stories Son Of Director Rob Reiner Pays Tribute To Slain Parents Harvey Weinstein Rape Retrial Hears Opening Arguments Oscars To Leave Hollywood In 2029 – Academy /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR WEBPAGE * * / var disqus_shortname = 'channelstelevision'; // Required - Replace example with your forum shortname / * * DON'T EDIT BELOW THIS LINE * * */ (function() { var dsq = document.createElement('script'); dsq.type = 'text/javascript'; dsq.async = true; dsq.src = '//' + disqus_shortname + '.disqus.com/embed.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(dsq); })(); Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/27/michael-jackson-biopic-debuts-atop-n-america-box-office/