‘Michael’ Heading Toward $85 Million-Plus Opening Weekend At Box Office

BusinessHollywood & Entertainment‘Michael’ Heading Toward $85 Million-Plus Opening Weekend At Box OfficeByTim Lammers,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment.Follow AuthorApr 24, 2026, 10:06pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Jaafar Jackson in "Michael."Lionsgate/Glen WilsonThe Michael Jackson biopic Michael is projected to earn more than $85 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.Michael, which stars Jaafar Jackson (Michael Jackson’s nephew/Jermaine Jackson’s son) in the title role, officially opened in North American theaters on Friday after special Wednesday night fan screenings and Thursday previews. Forbes‘Michael’ Rotten Tomatoes Reviews Splatter Michael Jackson BiopicBy Tim LammersDirected by Antoine Fuqua, Michael covers the King of Pop’s life from his time as a 10-year-old singer (Juliano Valde) with his brothers in The Jackson 5 through his adult career as a solo artist, releasing the multiplatinum albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.The film wraps up in 1988, and the title card after the closing scene reads, “His Story Continues” — which is essentially a declaration to fans that there is more of Jackson’s story to be told in a possible sequel.Of course, Michael, which cost $200 million to produce (via Variety) before marketing costs, has to become a blockbuster hit first for the film’s studio, Lionsgate, to produce a sequel. As such, if a projection for its opening weekend by Deadline published on Friday night is any indication, Michael is taking a big first step toward its aspirations to make a sequel a reality.MORE FOR YOUForbes‘Michael 2’: Studio Is Hoping To Make A Michael Jackson Biopic SequelBy Tim LammersMichael, according to Deadline, is projected to earn anywhere between $85 million and $95 million in North American ticket sales through Sunday. Eve...