The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” featuring Jaafar Jackson in the titular role, is slated for a digital streaming release this week. This move coincides with the film’s ongoing pursuit of the box office record established by the 2018 Queen biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” which chronicles the life of Freddie Mercury, stands as the highest-grossing music biopic globally, having amassed $911 million worldwide. Beyond its commercial success, the film garnered significant critical acclaim, securing four Academy Awards in 2019, including Best Actor for Rami Malek. Producer Graham King, also a producer on “Michael,” received a Best Picture nomination for his work on “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Six years after “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” impressive performance at the box office and the Oscars, “Michael” is not only challenging its financial benchmark but also positioning its lead actor, Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, as a potential Best Actor Oscar contender.
Following its theatrical debut on April 24, “Michael” will become accessible to home audiences via premium video on demand starting Tuesday, June 9.
Lionsgate, the film’s distributor, has announced that “Michael” will be available for purchase on PVOD platforms such as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and YouTube Movies & TV for $24.99. Digital rentals are expected to be priced at $19.99 for a 48-hour viewing period.
The narrative of “Michael” commences with the young Michael Jackson, portrayed by Juliano Valde, and his ascent to superstardom with the Jackson 5. It then follows his journey to becoming the “King of Pop,” as Jaafar Jackson takes over the role, through the release of iconic albums like “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad,” concluding with the launch of his “Bad” concert tour in 1988.
The PG-13 rated film also features Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively, and Miles Teller as the pop star’s long-time attorney, John Branca.
How Close Is “Michael” To Breaking The “Bohemian Rhapsody” Box Office Record?
As of Thursday, “Michael” has generated nearly $346.6 million domestically and $514.1 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $860.7 million. While a $51 million gap to surpass “Bohemian Rhapsody” may seem substantial heading into its seventh weekend, several factors suggest “Michael” could still achieve this box office milestone.
The film has consistently ranked within the top five domestic box office performers for its initial six weeks, including two weekends at the number one spot. Last week, it secured the fourth position in the North American box office, earning approximately $12 million. Adding to this, the film grossed an additional $6 million from Monday through Friday of the current week, pushing its weekly total to nearly $18 million.
Despite its imminent digital release, there appears to be sustained fan interest in experiencing “Michael” in theaters, even as its theatrical box office performance shows signs of moderating.
Crucially, “Michael” has yet to premiere in Japan. Considering the immense popularity of Michael Jackson in the country – the documentary “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” grossed $57 million in Japan in 2009 – industry publication Deadline projects that the film will claim the all-time global box office record from “Bohemian Rhapsody” following its Japanese release on July 12.
“Michael” continues its theatrical run and will be available on PVOD starting Tuesday.
Business Style Takeaway: The strategic timing of “Michael’s” digital release alongside its continued theatrical performance highlights a modern distribution strategy aimed at maximizing revenue. Its strong international performance, particularly the anticipated boost from the Japanese market, underscores the global appeal of music biopics and the importance of international territories in achieving box office records.
Information compiled from materials : www.forbes.com