Music biopic “Michael” box office collection crosses $400M globally in 10 days, nearing top spot among music films as strong audience response drives its success.
Michael biopic is delivering a massive global performance, crossing $400 million within just ten days of release. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film has already moved past Elvis to become the second biggest music biopic at the box office, and current trends suggest it may soon take the top position worldwide. However, Michael box office collection has shown strong impact across markets.
The film set a new Thursday record for the genre with $6.6 million, beating earlier hits like Bohemian Rhapsody and Straight Outta Compton. Its global opening weekend brought in an impressive $217.4 million, the biggest debut ever for a music biopic.
Interestingly, the film’s critical reception has been mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes scores in the mid-to-high 30% range. However, audiences have responded very differently. The movie holds a 97% audience score along with an ‘A-’ CinemaScore. Much of the appreciation has gone to Jaafar Jackson, whose portrayal of Michael Jackson has triggered a strong emotional response from fans. The concert sequences, in particular, have been widely praised, helping build strong positive reviews and steady theater attendance.
In India, the film has performed exceptionally well, earning over Rs 31 crore in its first week despite competition from major Bollywood releases. Cities like Mumbai and several regions in South India have contributed strongly to its run. Trade estimates suggest the film could cross Rs 60 crore, which would place it among the top three Hollywood releases in the country this year.
The journey of the release, however, was not easy. Made on a $200 million budget, the project faced legal issues that led to the removal of its third act and required around $50 million in reshoots. Even then, these setbacks have not affected its box office performance.
Beyond the ticket sales, the film has revived interest in Michael Jackson’s music, with streaming numbers rising sharply around the world.
Meanwhile, The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened to $77 million in North America, topping the weekend box office and pushing Michael worldwide collection to second place. The sequel brings back Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, and has drawn strong audience response despite mixed reviews.
As Business Fortune observes, together these releases mark a strong start to Hollywood’s summer season, showing that star-led films and music biopics continue to attract large audiences worldwide.
