The biographical film about the legendary pop icon Michael Jackson, titled Michael, has made a remarkable debut at the box office. The movie has generated $97 million in the domestic market and an impressive $217 million globally during its opening weekend. This achievement marks a new milestone for music biopics, surpassing the previous record held by the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton, which earned $60 million domestically in its first week.
In addition to breaking records, Michael also outperformed other successful music-related films. For instance, the 2018 Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody initially made $51 million on its opening weekend but eventually grossed over $910 million worldwide. Other biopics such as Elvis (2022), Rocketman (2019), Walk the Line (2005), and Ray (2004) had more modest openings, with figures ranging from $20 million to $31 million.
Despite its commercial success, Michael has faced significant criticism from film reviewers. Many have accused the film of “whitewashing” Jackson’s legacy by concluding its narrative in 1988, long before the emergence of multiple allegations against the singer. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a critics’ score of just 38 percent, which is considered “Rotten.” However, the audience score tells a different story, with a high “Fresh” rating of 97 percent.
While there are concerns about potential manipulation through “review bombing,” other platforms like IMDb and Letterboxd suggest that the film has been well-received by the general public. IMDb gives the film a rating of 7.6 out of 10, while Letterboxd reports an average of 3.6 stars out of 5, with most reviews falling between 4 and 5 stars.
One particularly critical review came from The Independent, where critic Clarisse Loughrey described the film as an act of fandom rather than a genuine exploration of Jackson’s life. She wrote: “The draw of Michael, Graham King’s turn at the life of the King of Pop, isn’t the desire to understand Jackson as a person or as an artist, or to grapple with the weight of his legacy as one of the most pivotal cultural figures of the 20th century. It exists to be consumed as an act of allegiance, as proof of fandom.”
This polarizing reception highlights the complex relationship between art, legacy, and public perception. While some viewers may see Michael as a celebration of Jackson’s contributions to music and culture, others view it as a sanitized version of his story. Regardless of these differing opinions, the film’s financial success underscores the enduring appeal of Michael Jackson’s work and the strong fan base that continues to support his legacy.
