Audiences worldwide are startin’ somethin’ this weekend as “Michael,” the Michael Jackson biopic, will take in over $200 million (estimated) at the worldwide box office, easily setting a new record for a musical biopic. Domestically, the film is roaring to an estimated $90-100 million, believed to be a record for a biopic of any kind, including an estimated $12.6 million from early access and preview screenings on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. The film’s extraordinary performance was propelled by great word of mouth, an A- Cinemascore and 97% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score, unprecedented for a musical biopic.

“Michael” also achieved the biggest domestic opening weekend of 2026 for an original, non-franchise, non-superhero movie and and the sixth highest Lionsgate opening weekend of all time behind the first four “Hunger Games” movies and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II.”

The film opened in 3,955 locations, including 1,700 IMAX and other PLF locations.

Internationally, where the film is distributed by Universal Pictures International in 82 territories, it took in a staggering estimated $111.4 million, ranking #1 in 64 of them, and setting all-time opening weekend records for a musical biopic in 63 of those. Top performing territories include the UK, where the estimated cume will be $13.8 million by Sunday; France (estimated cume of $10.3 million by Sunday); Mexico (estimated $9.3 million by Sunday); Italy (estimated $8.1 million by Sunday); and Germany (estimated $6.9 milliono by Sunday). In all of these markets, Michael achieved the biggest opening of all time for a musical biopic. Michael is also highly anticipated in Japan, where it will be released by Kino Films in association with Lionsgate in June.

“This record-breaking performance is a testament to the incredible filmmaking team of producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, an amazing cast led by Jaafar Jackson’s singular performance, our world-class partners at Universal, the cooperation and support of the Michael Jackson Estate, and our tireless and exceptionally talented Lionsgate team,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson. “Above all, it reflects the tremendous outpouring of love and affection from moviegoers around the world, underscoring the strength and vitality of the theatrical box office. If you give audiences what they want, they will come.”

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a premier talent management and production powerhouse at 3 Arts Entertainment and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.