Michael Jackson biopic is hit with audiences despite critical backlash

the michael jackson biopic "michael" pulled in $217mn globally on its opening weekend. that's a strong number for lionsgate and universal, who co-financed the film, and for the singer's estate, which gets a cut. critics were rough on it — rotten tomatoes score is low — but audiences showed up anyway. the movie covers jackson's life from the jackson 5 days through his death in 2009. it cost around $150mn to make, so the opening weekend alone puts it well on track to turn a profit. the estate has been careful about how jackson's legacy is handled since the 2019 leaving neverland documentary, and this film takes a largely sympathetic view.