Michael: The Biopic Set to Dominate Box Office in China!
Michael's Box Office Performance
The film Michael is creating a significant stir at the box office, especially in China, where it is expected to compete with Project Hail Mary for the title of the largest Hollywood live-action opening of 2026. It has already outperformed pre-sales of major films like F1 and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. By the end of the pre-sales period, the total for the three-day weekend reached an impressive $1.1 million, surpassing The Fantastic Four: First Steps ($865,000), Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ($1 million), Superman ($821,000), and F1 ($1 million).
When compared to other films, Michael's pre-sales figures are similar to those of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, although they lag behind Project Hail Mary ($1.2 million), Aquaman 2 ($1.6 million), Dune 2 ($5 million), and Jurassic World Rebirth ($3.9 million). The film's previews began on Wednesday, earning $8,000 from three limited fan screenings. By Thursday, a total of 956 limited screenings had taken place, contributing to a preview collection of $107,000.
On its opening day, Michael achieved a remarkable milestone for Hollywood biopics in China, securing the widest release with 80,000 screenings, surpassing Oppenheimer's count. Box office experts predict that the Antoine Fuqua-directed film could earn between $8 million and $11 million during its opening weekend in China. If it meets these projections, it will be a formidable competitor against Project Hail Mary for the largest Hollywood live-action debut of 2026.
Starring Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, the film chronicles the life of Michael Jackson, from his early years with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the legendary Bad tour in the 1980s. The cast also includes well-known actors such as Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo. Michael officially hit theaters on April 10.
As the box office figures continue to develop, they are based on estimates from various sources and have yet to be independently verified. The film's performance is under close observation as it navigates the competitive arena of Hollywood biopics.