The global rollout of Michael has kicked off with serious energy, and it’s not just hype talking — the numbers are already backing it up. The film, based on the life of Michael Jackson, started its international journey with a strong $18.5 million on day one, including preview shows. Strip those previews out, and the Wednesday figure alone still stands tall at $16.6 million, which is honestly a very solid opening for a music biopic in today’s market.
What’s interesting here is how wide the release actually is. The film is playing across more than 82 international markets, covering over 50,000 screens globally. Major territories like India and China are still rolling out, which means this number is just the beginning, not the peak. In simple terms, the real test — and possibly the real explosion — is expected over the weekend when these key regions fully come into play.
Europe, though, has already spoken loud and clear. France delivered a standout $2.6 million opening day, and the film didn’t just top the charts — it dominated with a 41% market share. More importantly, it set a new benchmark, outperforming previous biopic giants like Bohemian Rhapsody and even Oppenheimer on comparable opening days. That’s not a small achievement, especially in a market that doesn’t always go all-in on music-driven stories.
The UK and Ireland followed a similar pattern, where the film didn’t just open strong — it basically took over the market with a massive 71% share. That’s the kind of number you usually see with franchise blockbusters, not biopics. It also pushed past earlier benchmarks set by films like Elvis and Rocketman, setting a new high for the genre in that region.
Italy added another impressive chapter to the story, bringing in $1.3 million on day one while controlling 72% of the market. Spain and Germany weren’t far behind either, both crossing the $1 million mark and landing at the top position in their respective markets. Germany, in particular, carries a bit of emotional connection since Michael Jackson toured there extensively, and that nostalgia seems to be translating directly into ticket sales.
Outside Europe, the film kept the momentum going. Mexico’s extended previews pushed its total to $1.6 million, while Australia delivered a strong $1 million opening day, even surpassing local favorite Elvis. Brazil added to the mix with a $2 million running total including previews, setting a record for non-franchise, non-superhero releases — which is honestly rare in today’s box office climate.
At the center of all this is Jaafar Jackson, who steps into the shoes of his legendary uncle, and early reactions suggest audiences are connecting with his performance. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film is clearly designed as a large-scale tribute rather than a niche character study. That broader appeal is probably what’s helping it click across so many markets at once.
Back in the U.S., the film is also building momentum through premium screenings, including IMAX previews. Early buzz suggests presales are running ahead of Project Hail Mary, which is a pretty strong indicator of audience interest heading into the weekend. Right now, industry projections are pointing toward a $150 million global opening, with around $65–70 million expected from the domestic market alone.
If those numbers hold, Michael won’t just be a successful biopic — it could end up redefining what this genre can do at the box office. For a film rooted in music history rather than franchise storytelling, that’s a pretty big statement, and honestly, it shows that the King of Pop still knows how to pull a crowd, even years later.
