'Michael' Dominates Korea, Returns to No. 1 in America as Global Fans Keep Jackson on Top
- May 18
- 2 min read
By Stacy M. Brown Senior Global Correspondent
For months, critics have tried to pick apart “Michael.” But audiences keep turning it into one of the biggest box-office forces in the world.
The Michael Jackson biopic returned to the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office this weekend, overtaking “The Devil Wears Prada 2” after regaining IMAX and premium large-format screens and benefiting from unusually strong repeat business from fans who continue filling theaters weeks after the film’s release.
Outside the United States, the film’s dominance has become even more dramatic. In South Korea, “Michael” reportedly captured more than half of the country’s entire weekend box office, overwhelming local and international competition and reinforcing what Hollywood studios have understood for decades—Michael Jackson’s global appeal remains almost unmatched.
According to Variety, the film generated one of the strongest holds in the Korean market this year, with packed screenings continuing well beyond opening weekend. The publication reported that crowds in Seoul and other major cities have continued showing up in large numbers despite heavy competition from new releases.
Many of the harshest reviews centered on the film’s treatment of the allegations and controversies that followed Jackson throughout his life. Audiences, however, have continued buying tickets in massive numbers, with fans arguing online and in interviews that critics never intended to give the movie a fair evaluation because of Jackson’s complicated public history.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Michael” reclaimed the top spot with an estimated $26 million weekend after premium screens that had temporarily shifted to competing releases returned to the film. The movie narrowly edged out “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in one of the closest races of the year.
Global grosses for “Michael” have now surged beyond $700 million, according to industry estimates cited in trade reports, placing the movie among the highest-grossing music biopics ever released. Overseas markets have played a massive role in those numbers, particularly in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, where Jackson’s popularity historically reached levels few American entertainers ever achieved.
Fans interviewed and quoted by Black Press Media USA described the film as emotionally powerful, pointing specifically to Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of his uncle, the recreation of iconic concert performances, and what many called the movie’s refusal to reduce Jackson to tabloid headlines. Several fans argued that reviewers approached the film with their minds already made up.
The divide between critics and audiences has only widened as the film’s financial success grows. Social media videos continue showing sold-out crowds singing, dancing, and applauding during major performance scenes, helping keep the movie in constant circulation online through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Industry analysts questioned whether renewed scrutiny surrounding Jackson’s legacy would eventually weaken the film’s momentum. Instead, the movie continues drawing older fans who remember Jackson’s dominance firsthand while also introducing younger audiences to his catalog through streaming, social media clips, and the biopic itself.
The box office surge has also fueled growing speculation about a sequel as audiences continue responding strongly to the concert sequences and family-centered storytelling featured throughout the film.
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