‘Michael’ was made with a $200 million budget|jaafarjackson|Instagram
Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson movie, Michael, had the biggest global opening for a biopic as moviegoers rushed to theaters, says producer Lionsgate.
The film grossed $217.4 million globally, including $97 million domestically.
The record was previously held by Oppenheimer ($80 million).
Made with a $200 million budget and starring the late pop icon’s real-life nephew, Jafaar Jackson, the movie resonated with people, earning a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore.
However, it got a 40% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Main criticisms were about the biopic avoiding the topic of sexual abuse allegations that were brought against Michael Jackson in the past.
Nostalgia drives ticket sales
Gen Z and millennials drove the theater spending for the movie. Those aged 18 to 34 accounted for up to 50% of the audience, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film now ranks as the year’s second-biggest opening behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which currently sits at $871 million globally.