Michael Jackson Biopic Moonwalks Its Way to an Impressive First Weekend at the Box Office
Michael Jackson Biopic Moonwalks Its Way to an Impressive First Weekend at the Box Office
Jack SmartSun, April 26, 2026 at 3:22 PM UTC
0
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael.'Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate -
Michael, the new biopic about Michael Jackson, hit theaters on April 24
At the box office, the film totaled $314 million in its debut weekend
The late pop star's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, plays him in the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic
Michael Jackson and his family are taking over the big screen, and audiences won’t stop ’til they get enough.
After its Friday, April 24, theatrical release, the new biopic, Michael, has netted $97 million domestically and $217 million abroad in its first weekend, totaling to an impressive $314 million worldwide, per Variety.
The feat marks the best box office start of all time for a biopic. 2015’s Straight Outta Compton previously held the record with $60 million.
Michael's box office success marks the second-biggest debut of 2026 so far. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie raked in $131 million earlier this year.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael.'Credit: LIONSGATE
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Michael stars Jaafar Jackson, the son of the King of Pop’s brother, Jermaine Jackson, in the titular role.
Advertisement
Playing a young Michael is Juliano Krue Valdi, while Colman Domingo portrays patriarch Joe Jackson, who managed Michael and his brothers in the Jackson 5, and daughters Rebbie Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Janet Jackson.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed and John Logan-written biopic was developed with the blessing of many of the late Michael’s family members after he died in 2009 at age 50.
It also stars Nia Long as Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as lawyer-manager John Branca, Laura Harrier as producer Suzanne de Passe and Mike Myers as CBS Records exec Walter Yetnikoff.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael.'Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate
The other box office winners of 2026 so far include animated sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary, Pixar’s Hoppers and James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, per Box Office Mojo.
Michael, distributed by Lionsgate, is in theaters now.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
