Michael opens to $217M worldwide

Lionsgate’s Michael opened with $97 million in the United States and Canada and $217.4 million worldwide in its first weekend. (deadline.com) (variety.com) The film added $120.4 million from 82 international markets, with Universal distributing overseas and Lionsgate releasing domestically. (deadline.com) (nbcwashington.com) Trade outlets said that gave Michael the biggest global opening ever for a music biopic, ahead of earlier launches like Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody. (variety.com) (deadline.com) Michael stars Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, with Antoine Fuqua directing and the Jackson estate backing the production. Lionsgate set the release for April 24, 2026. (michael.movie) (lionsgatepublicity.com) The opening arrived after a choppy production and weak critical reception, but exit polling was much stronger with an A- CinemaScore. (apnews.com) (deadline.com) Rotten Tomatoes showed a low critic score while displaying a much higher audience score, underscoring the split between reviewers and ticket buyers. (rottentomatoes.com) (forbes.com) The weekend also helped the broader market. Deadline reported domestic box office revenue reached about $2.6 billion year to date through April 26, up 17% from the same point in 2025. (deadline.com) For theaters, Michael delivered the kind of April turnout studios had been chasing: a near-$100 million domestic start from a single title tied to a globally known catalog. (hollywoodreporter.com) (deadline.com)