Michael opens to $217 million

Lionsgate’s *Michael* opened to $217 million worldwide this weekend, including $97 million in the United States and Canada, according to studio estimates. (deadline.com) (apnews.com) Deadline reported the film earned more than $120 million overseas, with Universal handling the international rollout. Variety had said just before release that the movie was tracking far lower, in the $140 million to $150 million global range. (deadline.com) (variety.com) The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, Michael Jackson. Variety reported it cost at least $170 million to produce after reshoots added tens of millions. (variety.com) The opening reset the benchmark for a music biopic. Variety said *Bohemian Rhapsody* opened to $51 million domestically and *Straight Outta Compton* to $60 million, both below *Michael’s* $97 million start. (variety.com) The box-office surge carried over to music listening. The Associated Press, citing Luminate, reported Michael Jackson’s U.S. streams jumped to 31.7 million on April 24 and 25 from 16.3 million on April 17 and 18, a 95% increase. (apnews.com) The Jackson 5 also got a lift. Luminate’s figures, reported by the Associated Press, showed the group’s U.S. streams rose 85%, to 2.4 million from 1.3 million over the same comparison period. (apnews.com) Critics were far less unified than ticket buyers. Metacritic listed the film at 39, in the “generally unfavorable” range, while Rotten Tomatoes’ review roundup said many critics found the movie flashy and nostalgic but “safe” and “a little hollow.” (metacritic.com) (rottentomatoes.com) Rotten Tomatoes’ film page said reviewers praised Jaafar Jackson’s screen presence but argued the movie plays like a greatest-hits package with limited insight into Michael Jackson himself. Audience response was much stronger than critic response on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. (rottentomatoes.com) (metacritic.com) Variety reported the production had to scrap and redo its third act after producers discovered a settlement clause barring depiction or mention of a 1993 accuser in film or television. Jackson denied that accusation at the time. (variety.com) For now, the clearest verdict is commercial: *Michael* opened above expectations, reset the music-biopic opening record, and sent listeners back to Jackson’s catalog in large numbers. (deadline.com) (apnews.com)