Launch › Release window · 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.
ReportedGLOBALFan / organic
Details
- Date
- 21 Apr 2026 · T−3
- Phase
- Launch › Release window
- Category
- Controversy & reactive
- Markets
- Global
- Led by
- Fan / organic
- Channels
- Press
Sources 2
- Box Office: 'Michael' Michael Jackson Biopic Eyes $150 Million OpeningDeadline · 21 Apr 2026 · deadline.com · SecondaryVerifies: Berlin event with 300 creators reaching half a billion; Hollywood premiere for 3,300 at the Dolby; tracking $65M-$70M; $15M additional shoot
- 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
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
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
22 Apr 2026 T−2
International release begins two days ahead of the US
Universal opened in France, Germany, Mexico, Australia and other markets on 22 April. The film took $18.5M on its first international day.
GLOBALEUROPEMXAUReported
Studio-led