'Michael' Biopic Opens to Record $217 Million

Key Points:

• Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" achieved a record-breaking $97.2 million domestic opening and $121.6 million internationally, totaling $218.8 million worldwide, surpassing expectations and setting new benchmarks for music biopics.
• The film holds the biggest domestic opening ever for a biopic, beating "Oppenheimer," and also outperformed "Bohemian Rhapsody" globally; it is Lionsgate’s best post-pandemic debut and the second-biggest opening of 2023 behind "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie."
• Despite mixed critical reviews with a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score, "Michael" received outstanding audience reception, boasting a 97% audience score and strong word-of-mouth across diverse demographics and age groups.
• The movie’s success is attributed to its family-friendly approach and broad appeal, drawing significant audiences across ethnicities and age ranges, including strong turnout from both younger viewers and those over 55.
• Other box office highlights include "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" nearing $871 million globally, "Project Hail Mary" surpassing $600 million worldwide, and A24’s "The Drama" becoming a sleeper hit with over $100 million globally despite modest initial reviews.