Launch › Release window · 26 Apr 2026 · T+2
$97M US opening, a record for a music biopic
The film opened to about $97M in the US and Canada and $217M worldwide, ahead of tracking of $65M to $70M. IMAX and premium formats were 48% of US weekend sales. It was No. 1 in 64 of 82 international markets.
Why it matters
A film with poor reviews opened far above projections. Deadline credited a campaign built on live experience and audience goodwill.
AnalysisThe numbers
- $97.2MUS and Canada opening weekendGross · USD · US and Canada, 3,955 locations · as of 27 Apr 2026ReportedSource: Deadline, Variety, Box Office Mojo
- $217.4MWorldwide opening weekendGross · USD · Worldwide · as of 26 Apr 2026ReportedSource: DeadlineDeadline's next-day actuals put it at $218.8M.
- 48%Premium formats share of US weekendStudio-reported · US, IMAX 16% and other PLFs 32% · as of 26 Apr 2026ReportedSource: Deadline
- Rs 16 croreIndia opening weekendNet · INR · India · as of 27 Apr 2026ReportedSource: The Hollywood Reporter IndiaTHR India citing Sacnilk.
- 564M+Social views, whole campaignStudio-reported · All platforms · as of 26 Apr 2026ReportedSource: Deadline
Details
- Date
- 26 Apr 2026 · T+2
- Phase
- Launch › Release window
- Category
- Results & measurement
- Markets
- United States, Global, United Kingdom, India
- Led by
- Studio-led
- Partners
- IMAX
- Channels
- Cinema
Sources 6
- Box Office: 'Michael' Opening to Near $100M U.S, $217M+ WWDeadline · 26 Apr 2026 · deadline.com · SecondaryVerifies: Opening figures; IMAX share; PostTrak; and the campaign recap: marketing spend, iSpot TV, flash mobs, HBCU, pop-up, holograms, buses, DJ trucks, billboards, MTV News, TikTok, X, Spotify, social views
- Lionsgate in Partnership With Universal Pictures International Makes "Michael" a Thriller With Estimated $200 Million+ Worldwide in Its Opening WeekendLionsgate (Celluloid Junkie wire) · 25 Apr 2026 · celluloidjunkie.com · SecondaryVerifies: Opening estimates, $12.6M previews, 3,955 locations incl. 1,700 IMAX/PLF, A- CinemaScore, 82 international territories
- 'Michael' Box Office: Biopic Opens to Record-Setting $97 MillionVariety · 26 Apr 2026 · variety.com · SecondaryVerifies: Opening weekend and IMAX share
- Global Box Office: 'Michael' Off-The-Wall With $217M WW, $120M Int'lDeadline · 26 Apr 2026 · deadline.com · SecondaryVerifies: International opening by market; Universal paid about $70M for foreign rights; in-cinema dance activations
- Box Office: 'Michael' Hits High Note In Global Opening With $218.8 MillionDeadline · 27 Apr 2026 · deadline.com · SecondaryVerifies: Opening weekend actuals
- 'Michael' Box Office: Michael Jackson Feature Nets Rs 16 Crore in IndiaThe Hollywood Reporter India · 27 Apr 2026 · hollywoodreporterindia.com · SecondaryVerifies: India opening weekend net, citing Sacnilk
More from release window
20 Apr 2026 T−4
Hollywood premiere at the Dolby Theatre with the Jackson family
Jaafar's aunt and uncles La Toya, Marlon, Jermaine and Jackie, and Michael's son Prince, attended. King and Fuqua introduced the cast to a house of 3,300.
USReported
Jaafar Jackson · Colman Domingo · Nia Long
21 Apr 2026 T−3
Reviews land mostly negative, with allegations at the centre
The review embargo lifted three days before release. Deadline reported Rotten Tomatoes at 33% early on. Several critics faulted the film for leaving out the abuse allegations.
GLOBALReported
Fan / organic
22 Apr 2026 T−2
Fan screenings in IMAX and premium formats
The Wednesday early-access shows took $3.8M of the film's $12.6M US previews.
USReported
IMAX