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Michael Jackson biopic smashes key box office record as critically derided film is fan success

The film has been mauled by critics.

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael, standing in front of a board with many notes pinned to it.

Glen Wilson/Universal Pictures

Published: Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 11:49 am

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Michael, the new Michael Jackson biopic, has smashed box office records in its first weekend of release after negative reviews from critics.

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The film, which stars Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson as the late musician, launched with $97 million domestically and $217 million globally in its opening weekend, breaking the box office record for a musical biopic.

The record was previously held by Bohemian Rhapsody, which took a total of $124m in 2018.

Michael also exceeded the $180m total taken by 2024's Oppenheimer, breaking the record for the highest-grossing biopic of any kind.

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael. He smiles just away from the camera wearing the singer's iconic red and gold jacket.

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael. Glen Wilson

Written by John Logan (Skyfall) and produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody), the film charts two decades of the singer’s four decade-long career, following his rise to fame through the Jackson 5 through to his solo career.

The film has been mauled by critics, with several reviewers complaining that it depicts a sanitised version of Jackson’s life story and omits difficult subjects such as his sexual abuse allegations.

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Our own 2-star review criticised the film’s "over-simplified plot points and mawkish, underwritten scenes" – with critic Terry Staunton adding: "Producers and director Antoine Fuqua have hinted that a second film may yet be made to address the sexual abuse accusations and court appearances, but their absence here results in a curiously open-ended, unfulfilling cinema experience."

Watch trailer

Jafaar is joined by a number of other stars, including Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe, and more.

Read more:

Brian Cox never thought he’d direct a film "in a million years" before Glenrothan

James McAvoy on his earliest film memories and future directing hopes: 'I was offered a lot of working class Scottish dramas'

Michael is out now in UK cinemas.

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Authors

RadioTimes.com senior trends writer Molly Moss. She is sitting outside wearing a black top, holding a white teacup with a smily face on it to her mouth

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.

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