Michael opens with million, setting a new record for music biopics.

In a remarkable debut, “Michael,” a biopic depicting the life of the legendary pop icon Michael Jackson, has exceeded expectations by grossing an estimated million in its opening weekend across the United States and Canada. This figure has shattered previous records for music biopics, positioning “Michael” as a standout release of the year, even amid negative critical reception and challenges during production.

Produced by Lionsgate in collaboration with Jackson’s estate, “Michael” surpassed the opening numbers of notable predecessors in the genre, including “Straight Outta Compton,” which debuted at .2 million in 2015, and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which opened with million in 2018. This level of success reflects not only the enduring popularity of Jackson, who passed away in 2009, but also the robust marketing efforts surrounding the film.

Internationally, the film accumulated an additional 0.4 million, culminating in a remarkable global total of 7.4 million for the opening weekend. Universal handled the film’s distribution in most international markets, further contributing to its impressive worldwide performance.

Prior to the release, initial estimates suggested that “Michael” would earn around million, which was later adjusted to nearly million as anticipation built. The film ultimately outperformed these projections dramatically, indicating a strong consumer interest.

Lionsgate’s chairman, Adam Fogelson, remarked on the significant engagement seen across diverse audience segments leading up to the film’s release. This extensive outreach may have played a crucial role in the film’s initial success.

Despite the successful launch, “Michael” has faced scrutiny regarding its portrayal of Jackson’s complex legacy. The film reflects a highly authorized narrative, but its portrayal has drawn mixed feedback. Some members of Jackson’s family, including his daughter Paris and sister Janet, have publicly contested its accuracy and perspective. Concerns have also been raised following the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which detailed allegations against Jackson, challenging the film’s depictions of his life.

The production of “Michael” experienced noteworthy hurdles, including the need to reshoot substantial portions of the film after realizing certain legal restrictions, particularly regarding past settlements. This led to an additional cost of up to million to reconfigure the narrative. Ultimately, significant efforts were made to focus the storytelling on Jackson’s career achievements before the onset of various controversies.

As the film continues to attract attention, it has reported a mixed reception from critics—scoring a mere 38% on Rotten Tomatoes—while audiences have responded more positively, resulting in an “A-” CinemaScore. This divergence in reception may reflect the varying perspectives on Jackson’s life as both an artist and a controversial figure.

Following this performance, Lionsgate anticipates potential sequels and further narrative explorations of Jackson’s life, signaling a significant entry in the film landscape that examines both the art and complexities of one of music’s most iconic figures.