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Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael.’ Universal Pictures

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson

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Michael

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777267755264Michael_3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael.’ Universal Pictures"/>Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael.’ Universal Pictures</div>LOS ANGELES — &quot;Michael,&quot; the much-anticipated biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted atop the North American box office this weekend with a thriller-ing $97 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, chronicles the legendary artist&#x27;s rise from a child star to one of the world&#x27;s most famous pop icons.In the starring role is Jaafar Jackson, the pop star&#x27;s nephew.&quot;This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography,&quot; said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.The film has strong audience approval, &quot;playing as a feel good, nostalgic appreciation,&quot; he said, but &quot;reviews are weak.&quot;&quot;Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer&#x27;s life, including allegations of sexual misbehavior,&quot; Gross said, while noting a Part 2 is in the works.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/4/22/movie-review-michael-plays-it-safe-in-fan-first-biopic-1110">Movie review: ‘Michael’ plays it safe in fan-first biopic</a></div>With the film already released in Europe, it has globally taken in nearly $220 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.In second place at the US and Canadian box office was &quot;The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,&quot; with another $21.2 million.After spending the last three weeks in the top spot, the animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios has hauled in over $775 million at the global box office, Exhibitor Relations reported.Third place went to Amazon MGM&#x27;s hit sci-fi adventure comedy &quot;Project Hail Mary,&quot; with $13.2 million.The film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who must save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly $600 million worldwide, in an extended theatrical run.In fourth place with $5.6 million was &quot;Lee Cronin&#x27;s The Mummy,&quot; an original horror flick from Warner Bros about a young girl possessed by a demon in an ancient mummification ritual.Fifth place went to &quot;The Drama,&quot; A24&#x27;s romantic comedy with a dark twist starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding.The film took in an additional $2.6 million, for a global box office haul of $80 million.Rounding out the top 10:&quot;Hoppers&quot; ($1.9 million)&quot;You, Me &amp; Tuscany&quot; ($1.5 million)&quot;Over Your Dead Body&quot; ($1.4 million)&quot;I Swear&quot; ($640,000)&quot;Normal&quot; ($625,000)

"Michael," the much-anticipated biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted atop the North American box office this weekend with a thriller-ing $97 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

"Michael," the much-anticipated biopic about late superstar Michael Jackson, debuted atop the North American box office this weekend with a thriller-ing $97 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Michael Jackson biopic debuts atop North America box office

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Michael Jackson biopic debuts atop North America box office

Agence France-Presse

Published April 27, 2026 01:38 PM PHT

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Updated April 27, 2026 01:39 PM PHT

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