Michael biopic breaks records amid controversy

The legacy of Michael Jackson continues to dominate the global stage, with his new biopic ‘Michael’ shattering box office records.

The film opened to a staggering $217 million worldwide, marking the biggest debut ever for a musical biopic and surpassing the previous record set by Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned $124 million on its opening weekend.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film traces Jackson’s journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global icon.

His nephew, Jaafar Jackson, takes on the lead role, supported by Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson.

The biopic recreates some of the star’s most iconic performances and career-defining moments.

However, its success has been accompanied by growing criticism.

Some reviewers argue the film glosses over key controversies, including the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations, his complex personal relationships, and aspects of his private life – raising questions about whether it offers a complete portrayal of the artist.

The issue with Michael Jackson is that despite dying at 50yo, he’s had so much happening in his life that you need a 6 parts limited series to properly go into all of it. I feel a lot of the criticism is from ppl who don’t like musical biopics and don’t know enough about Michael. https://t.co/wyDnZZVEwI

— pascale (she/her) | halle, regé & tuscany 🍇🏳️‍🌈 (@pascaleand0r) April 28, 2026

Well 2 things can be true, Michael was gonna be BIG @ the BOX OFFICE because it’s MICHAEL JACKSON, but the criticism from the critics is valid in my opinion. It did feel RUSHED & the pacing was off. The ACTING WAS GREAT, STORY NOT SO MUCH

— BROKE (@wishiwasnsports) April 29, 2026

Despite the debate, Jackson’s cultural impact remains undeniable, with fans continuing to celebrate the enduring legacy of the “King of Pop”. 

Following his death in 2009 at age 50, the 13-time Grammy winner’s influence has persisted, with his groundbreaking career widely credited for reshaping the global music industry and breaking racial barriers, particularly on platforms like MTV.

#Michael is this week’s most popular movie on Rotten Tomatoes.https://t.co/h66ExjelUs

— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) April 30, 2026

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ aiming for return to top 15 on the Billboard 200 with 35K units this week following ‘Michael’ movie (via @HITSDD). pic.twitter.com/xWzVZHI2bY

— chart data (@chartdata) April 28, 2026