Michael biopic sets new opening weekend record in Nigeria as debate trails portrayal

Michael Jackson’s biopic, ‘Michael’, opened in Nigerian cinemas last weekend, recording N123.3 million in its first weekend, positioning the movie as the biggest opening weekend in the market so far in 2026.

Distributed by Nile Cinemas, the film also became the biggest preview figures for a biopic in West Africa and the highest single-day grosses for a Hollywood title so far in 2026. It also marks the first Universal Pictures title to reach number one in the region this year, underlining early demand for the project.

Michael’s box office performance grossed ahead of recent local box office leader ‘The Return of Arinzo’, which has held the number one Nollywood position for four consecutive weeks with a cumulative N311.5 million, according to FilmOne.

While The Return of Arinzo built its numbers over time, Michael’s opening weekend alone sets a new benchmark for 2026, highlighting the pull of global music-driven titles in Nigerian cinemas and the continued relevance of Michael Jackson to local audiences.

Beyond ticket sales, the film has drawn mixed reactions from critics and audiences, sparking a lot of conversation about how the late singer’s story is presented. Some critics argue the film avoids the more difficult aspects of Jackson’s life.

A viewer on X, @Blackgirlie1, pointed to production challenges, writing that “it took six years to write the scripts, but estate issues and legal constraints forced a rewrite in less than six months,” adding that there could be a follow-up instalment.

Another viewer, Daniel Okafor, who shared his review on Twitter, wrote: “I finally watched Michael… and I get why people are arguing. This isn’t a biopic. He said It’s PR with a budget.” He acknowledged Jaafar Jackson’s performance, noting that “the voice, the movement, the aura… he studied Michael Jackson properly”, but argued that “acting alone can’t save a story that’s scared of itself.”

Read also: Why Michael Jackson biopic could become the highest-grossing ever

Okafor added that “the film avoids the hardest conversations”, describing it as “image management” where “every rough edge is softened” and “every question is quietly dodged”. This aligns with what international critics have said about the movie and with why critics on Rotten Tomatoes graded it 39 percent, while audiences who viewed it for the thrill graded it 97 percent.

Audience reactions, however, also showed a different emphasis, particularly around the film’s musical execution. Brand, a reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes, described the film as “more like a concert”, adding that “Jaafar really embodied his uncle… I left with my jaw dropping because I have no words to express how much fun and joy this movie brought to me.”

Lisa, another reviewer, offered a more measured take, noting that “the music and dance scenes are amazing if you love the music” but adding that “if you are looking for any juicy details of his life, it’s not in this movie,” describing much of the storyline as “sugar-coated” and suggesting it was made to improve his image and renew interest in his music.

Online discussions further indicate that production challenges may have influenced the final output. Some users claim earlier versions of the script underwent significant changes due to estate and legal considerations, with suggestions that additional material could be explored in a possible follow-up.

For cinemas, the immediate outcome is clear: Michael has delivered one of the strongest openings of the year in Nigeria. For audiences and critics, however, the film’s reception points to an ongoing debate about whether the biopic tells a complete story or primarily safeguards a legacy.