• Strong opening beyond expectations, record-breaking start in the musical biopic category
• Critical debate amid wide audience turnout and sharp divide in reviews

The new film charting the life of the late superstar Michael Jackson has made a powerful global debut, recording the highest opening ever for a biographical film to date.

In the movie, Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, with the production grossing an estimated $217 million worldwide since its release last Wednesday.

With this performance, the film surpasses major previous titles, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which followed Queen’s story and earned $124 million at its 2018 launch, as well as “Oppenheimer,” which reached $180 million during its opening weekend in 2024.

Adam Fogelson, head of the film’s distribution company, said the success reflects the broad diversity of audiences engaging with the film, stressing that such figures “would not have been possible without wide participation across different viewer groups.”

Despite strong commercial momentum, the film has received mixed critical reactions, with some reviewers describing its portrayal of Jackson’s personal and artistic journey as “softened,” while it has enjoyed strong praise from general audiences.

Rating platforms highlight a clear split, with critics’ scores averaging around 38%, compared to 97% from viewers.

The film arrives amid a growing wave of musical biopics in Hollywood in recent years, covering major figures such as Elton John, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Whitney Houston, driven by continued box office success.

The production makes use of original Michael Jackson audio recordings supported by his estate, with a strong focus on reimagined musical performances, alongside an exploration of his complex relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson.

During production, the film faced challenges that led to reshoots following legal complications, ultimately resulting in a revised ending that concludes before the early 1990s.

With a production budget of around $200 million, it ranks among the most expensive biopics in Hollywood history, with plans for additional international releases, including Japan later this year.