Michael, the much-anticipated biopic about the late Michael Jackson, has broken records for a music biopic after opening at the top of the North American box office with $97 million (€81.5 million).
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer's nephew, as the pop superstar.
It follows Jackson’s rise from child star to one of the most famous performers in the world, and has already taken $217.4 million (€182.6 million) globally.
The UK and Ireland were the film’s strongest international market, with an opening weekend of $15.6 million (€13.1 million).
Click here to read Harry Guerin's review of Michael.
Analyst David A Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research described the opening as "record-shattering" for a musical biography.
The film's North American debut puts it well ahead of other major music biopics, including Straight Outta Compton, which opened with $60.2 million (€50.6 million) in 2015, and Bohemian Rhapsody, which launched with $51.1 million (€42.9 million) in 2018.
Its $217.4 million (€182.6 million) worldwide opening also means Michael has already passed the entire global run of Straight Outta Compton, while Bohemian Rhapsody remains the music biopic benchmark with a lifetime global box office of $910.8 million.
However, he said reviews for the film were weak, with many critics arguing that it is too superficial and avoids the more complicated parts of Jackson’s life, including allegations of sexual misconduct.
Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, denied allegations of child sexual abuse during his lifetime and was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.
Gross said the film has strong audience approval and is playing as "a feel-good, nostalgic appreciation", while also noting that a second part is already in the works.
In second place at the US and Canadian box office was The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which earned another $21.2 million (€17.8 million).
The animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios had spent the previous three weeks in the top spot and has now taken more than $775 million (€651 million) worldwide.
Third place went to Amazon MGM’s sci-fi adventure comedy Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, with $13.2 million (€11.1 million).
The film, about a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned almost $600 million (€504 million) worldwide.
Fourth place went to Lee Cronin's The Mummy. The latest film from the Irish director behind Evil Dead Rise took $5.6 million (€4.7 million).
A24’s dark romantic comedy The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, was fifth with $2.6 million (€2.2 million).
Source: AFP
