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Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" stormed the box office worldwide last weekend, triggering widespread nostalgia and excitement, including in China.
Crowds flock to a cinema in Beijing for a special screening of "Michael" on April 24, 2026. [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as his legendary uncle, the film is a cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known.
"Michael" tells the story of the King of Pop's life beyond the music, tracing his journey from his discovery as the lead of the Jackson Five to his rise as the world's biggest entertainer. Over a career spanning decades, he sold more than 1 billion records and left an enduring mark on music, dance, fashion and entertainment.
"It's an honor to portray my uncle Michael. We hope you feel his spirit through this film," Jaafar Jackson said in a video played at several fan-packed screenings across China last weekend. Director Antoine Fuqua said, "This film is our gift to you. We hope you feel his magic again on the big screen."
"Jaafar did an unbelievable job. He actually became Michael," Jermaine Jackson told China.org.cn. As the father of Jaafar Jackson and brother of Michael Jackson, Jermaine served as an executive producer alongside several of his siblings. "I'm very happy that he actually kept the essence of my brother — the way he spoke, the way he danced. But even when he wasn't on stage, you would think you were looking at Michael."
"Michael" shot to No. 1 at the Chinese box office, grossing 32.6 million yuan ($4.5 million) over its three-day opening weekend, with fans humming classics, dancing in the aisles or moved to tears during screenings. Similar scenes unfolded in cinemas worldwide.
The film also drew in casual moviegoers; many said on social media that they became fans after watching and began researching the man and his legacy.
The frenzy has swept across the globe. "Michael" grossed $219 million worldwide, shattering the all-time opening record for a biopic and overtaking "Oppenheimer," which previously held the benchmark with a $174 million global debut. IMAX screenings contributed $24.4 million to the opening weekend total, the highest IMAX debut ever for a musical biopic.
Audience reception has been strong. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience approval rating stands at 97%. In China, the film scored 9.5 out of 10 on the Maoyan ticketing platform, the highest rating for any imported film released this year.
Producer Graham King, an Academy Award winner, said, "Michael Jackson's artistry and brilliance make him the biggest star on the planet."
"Anything Michael did became an event," King said. "He could walk down a street, and it would be an event. So one of our biggest priorities was that the movie about him had to feel like an event, too. When you go to see this movie in a theater, it will be as exciting as getting the very best ticket to see Michael on stage."
Special screenings were held across the country last weekend, featuring merchandise and souvenirs for fans. The most prominent was a star-studded event jointly held by IMAX and the Michael Jackson Chinese Fanclub in Beijing on April 24, featuring a golden Michael Jackson statue.
Those joining the tribute included director Hu Mei, folk band Age of Water and Wood, singer Yamy, musician Hu Tingyang, animator Wang Yunfei, actor Zhao Yang and Huo Tingxiao, vice chairman of the China Film Association and president of the China Film Art Direction Academy, among others.
Distributors promote "Michael" at a press event announcing the May Day holiday film lineup, held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, April 24, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]
Produced by the Oscar-winning team behind "Bohemian Rhapsody," the film features Jackson's iconic songs and recreated performances. Enhanced by IMAX, the film offers both concert front-row energy and intimate glimpses of his life, an experience Fuqua repeatedly urged audiences to see on the big screen.
After the screening at the April 24 Beijing event, dancers recreated Jackson's signature moves, and fans joined a spontaneous singalong of "Heal the World" in the IMAX auditorium.
"You absolutely have to see this film in the movie theater because it's so epic," Fuqua said. "There are moments you'll feel you're actually at a Michael Jackson concert. But equally, there are moments where you feel like you're on the inside of the Jacksons' family life, experiencing that as Michael did."
"My dream is for people to walk out feeling like they've discovered new things about Michael as an artist and a new sense of what he went through as a person while becoming an icon," Fuqua added.
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