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Business
Apr 28, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Michael Jackson Biopic Sets UK Box‑Office Record

AI Summary
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' posted a £11.6 million opening in the UK, the biggest ever for a music biopic, and is on track for a $1 billion global haul. Its performance outpaces Bohemian Rhapsody in the US and dominates the UK‑Ireland market.

Record‑Breaking UK Opening for Michael Biopic

Michael, the authorised biopic of Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua, delivered the biggest opening weekend ever for a music biopic in the United Kingdom.

US Triumph and UK Performance Compared

In the United States the film earned $97 million (£72 million), outpacing Bohemian Rhapsody by 90 %. In the United Kingdom it opened with £11.6 million, 81 % of Bohemian Rhapsody’s £6.4 million opening, accounting for 68 % of all box‑office takings across the UK and Ireland over its first three days.

Box‑Office Numbers: $217 million Global, £11.6 million UK Opening

  • Global gross to date: $217 million (£161 million)
  • UK opening weekend: £11.6 million
  • US opening weekend: $97 million (£72 million)
  • Share of UK‑Ireland market (first three days): 68 %
  • Second‑place UK opening 2026: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie with £15 million

Implications for Music Biopics and Universal Studios

The performance solidifies Universal’s dominance in the music‑biopic niche and revives confidence in high‑budget biographical dramas. It also positions the film as a potential first music biopic to breach the $1 billion global threshold, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody’s $900 million run.

Outlook: Toward a $1 billion Milestone?

With strong international roll‑outs planned, including a pending Japanese release, analysts expect the film to continue its upward trajectory, potentially crossing the $1 billion mark by year‑end.