The new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has stormed worldwide box offices, earning $217 million (£160 million) globally since its Wednesday opening. This marks the highest opening weekend ever for a biopic, surpassing both Bohemian Rhapsody ($124 million) and Oppenheimer ($180 million).
Starring Jaafar Jackson, the King of Pop's nephew, the film has polarized critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave it a 38% score, while audiences rated it 97%. Many critics accused the film of presenting a sanitized version of Jackson's life, omitting the child sexual abuse allegations that dogged his career.
The film's production faced challenges after the rediscovery of a non-disclosure agreement between Jackson and an accuser, which forced a rewrite and reshoots. The third act, originally centered on the allegations, was scrapped, and the film now ends in 1988 before any accusations emerged. Director Antoine Fuqua described the process as a "tough period" that required rethinking everything.
Backed by Jackson's estate and featuring his original vocals, Michael leans heavily on concert recreations and explores his relationship with his father Joseph, played by Colman Domingo. The hefty $200 million budget makes it one of the most expensive biopics ever. It has yet to open in Japan, where it is scheduled for June.
The film's success adds to a recent box office resurgence, joining hits like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary.