Leaving behind a barrage of criticism and numerous production hiccups, the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ directed by Antoine Fuqua has created a tsunami at the global box office. Starring Jafar Jackson (nephew of Michael Jackson), the film not only proved the critics’ doubts wrong, but also holds the historical record of the biggest opening weekend for any musical biopic.
magical box office figures
The film has registered huge success in the first seven days of its release:
Global gross: $217 million (approximately ₹1,800 crore)
US market: $97 million
Indian market: ₹25 crore
IMAX contribution: $24.5 million (biggest opening ever for a musical biopic)
This film has broken the record of the 2015 hip-hop film ‘Straight Outta Compton’. It has emerged as the biggest commercial win for Lionsgate Studios in recent years.
5 main reasons for the success of the film
1. Audience’s love vs critics’ opinion
What critics often dismiss as a “white-washed” film, the audience buys into because of its emotional connect. Critics argue that the film ignores the controversial allegations against Jackson, but the ‘A-minus’ grade on CinemaScore suggests that audiences came to celebrate Michael as an artist, not a bitter documentary.
2. Music and concert experience
The film is not just seen but is being felt. Recreations of iconic songs like ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It’ have transformed cinemas into concert halls.
In a country like India, where there is a craze for big screens and great sound systems, watching Moonwalk on IMAX is proving to be a magical experience for the fans.
3. The magic of a loyal fan base
This film, produced by the Jackson estate, proved that Jackson’s fans are still as loyal today. The words at the end of the film—”His story continues”—hinted that the studio may make more films in the future about other aspects of Jackson’s life.
4. Lionsgate Studio’s tremendous comeback
Lionsgate was looking for a big hit in early 2024 after failures like ‘Borderlands’ and ‘The Crow’. After ‘Now You See Me 3’ and ‘The Housemaid’, ‘Michael’ has completely strengthened the position of the studio.
5. Exact timing of release
The film has been released at a time when theaters were already crowded due to films like ‘Scream 7’ and ‘Project Hail Mary’. With no big film releasing in India for the next few weeks, ‘Michael’ has a golden opportunity to win the long race at the box office.
Even as the debate continues over the way the story is told, the crowds thumping in theaters and the thunderous applause are sending the same message: Michael Jackson is still the ‘King of Pop’. Jafar Jackson has proved with his very first film that he is all set to take his uncle’s legacy forward.