Lionsgate's Michael Jackson biopic had a record-breaking start at the box office, far exceeding industry predictions during its opening weekend. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film attracted significant attention in theaters despite various changes made during its production. The film earned $40 million on its opening day and aims for a weekend gross of over $90 million, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody's $51 million and Straight Outta Compton's $60 million openings in 2018.

The cast features Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's nephew, in the lead role, alongside Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Nia Long. Producer Graham King hopes to replicate the success of his previous masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody, with this film. However, critics have raised concerns about the historical perspective offered on the early life of the King of Pop, noting that it presents a hagiographic (praising) approach.

Paradoxically, despite the critical reviews, the film has been well-received by audiences. It received an A- grade from CinemaScore and a 94% “Verified Hot” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, critic scores on the platform remain at 39%. This situation represents another example of the critic-audience divide in the biopic genre, similar to Bohemian Rhapsody.

The film had a budget of $200 million, which offers the project a global revenue potential of $1 billion. The festival atmosphere observed in cinemas has also opened up the possibility for Lionsgate to release sing-along versions in the future, following the examples of Bohemian Rhapsody and Frozen. Additionally, preparations for a sequel are underway, with 30% of the first film already edited for the second installment.

For audiences, controversial aspects of Michael Jackson's life and legacy have taken a backseat, as viewers prefer to focus on the impact of the musician's music in their lives. This approach clearly illustrates why the film's success cannot be solely evaluated through critical reviews. Lionsgate's preparations for the second film should be closely monitored alongside ongoing developments in the industry.