A new Michael Jackson biopic has opened to a strong box office start, drawing packed theaters and sharp debate over whether any single film can revive the movie business or reshape Jackson's complicated legacy.
The new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has opened with a strong box office performance and an equally strong reaction. The film posted the biggest opening day of 2026 on Friday with $40 million including pre-shows, and roughly 43 percent of that came from IMAX and premium large-format screens. Early estimates point to an opening weekend around $95 million, with some industry watchers expecting it to finish even higher if Saturday holds up well.
That kind of start would make Michael the biggest opening weekend ever for a biopic. It would also place it among the year's major commercial releases, though not necessarily at the very top of the annual box office. Even with a large debut, the film is unlikely to be a one-title solution to the broader problems facing theaters and studios. The current market has already produced several hits, and the industry has been showing signs of recovery well before this release.
The movie's performance has renewed a larger argument about what, exactly, it means for a film to
