‘Michael’ moonwalks to $97 million opening

Key Points:

• "Michael," the Michael Jackson biopic co-produced by the Jackson estate, debuted with a record-breaking $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, surpassing previous music biopic openings like "Straight Outta Compton" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
• The film also performed strongly internationally, earning $120.4 million overseas for a global opening of $217.4 million, setting a new high for music biopics despite mixed critical reviews and controversy surrounding Jackson's legacy.
• Production faced significant challenges, including costly reshoots to remove content related to a 1994 settlement that barred mentioning accuser Jordan Chandler, leading to a reworked storyline ending before any allegations arose.
• Critics criticized the film for glossing over controversial aspects of Jackson's life, reflected in a low 38% Rotten Tomatoes score, but audiences responded positively, giving it an "A-" CinemaScore.
• "Michael's" success contributed to a strong spring box office season, with other hits like "Project Hail Mary" and "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" also posting robust earnings.