The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is a box office hit, but it's leaving some viewers uneasy

The new Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," is making waves at the global box office, raking in $217 million in its opening weekend and landing firmly at the top of the China box office chart with $4.8 million. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Universal, the film marks the biggest debut ever for a musical biopic, drawing fans with its lush recreations of Jackson's performances and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process. In China, it edged out local releases during a quiet weekend, signaling strong international appetite for the King of Pop's story.

But as ticket sales climb, so does the discomfort. The film deliberately steers clear of the most controversial aspects of Jackson's life, particularly the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse that followed him for decades. Instead, it focuses on his rise to fame, his relationship with his family, and his relentless drive for perfection in music and performance. While some viewers appreciate the emphasis on his artistry, others feel the omission creates a sanitized version of a man whose legacy is anything but simple.

Writing for Salon, critic Hanif Abdurraqib described the film as "fittingly odd," not because of its style or structure, but because of the tension it can't quite resolve: how to honor a cultural icon while ignoring the serious accusations that defined his final years. The movie doesn't name the accusers or depict any of the legal proceedings, choosing instead to show Jackson as a wounded, isolated figure battling pain, prescription drugs, and the pressures of fame.

This selective storytelling has sparked debate. Supporters argue that the film isn't meant to be a courtroom drama but a portrait of artistic genius under strain. They point to the powerful performance by the lead actor and the meticulous recreation of iconic moments, like the "Thriller" video shoot and the 1983 Motown 25 performance, as reasons to separate the art from the artist. Yet critics say that in 2026, that separation feels less like respect and more like avoidance.

The box office numbers suggest most audiences aren't letting those questions stop them from buying tickets. "Michael" earned $120.4 million from international markets outside North America, with strong showings not just in China but across Europe and parts of Latin America. Its success adds to a recent wave of music biopics, from "Elvis" to "A Complete Unknown," showing studios that star-powered origin stories still draw crowds.

Still, the conversation around "Michael" feels different. Jackson's influence on music and dance is undeniable, but so is the pain caused by the allegations and the unresolved grief of those who felt failed by the systems that protected him. The film doesn't try to answer those questions - and maybe it's not its job to. But by not engaging with them at all, it leaves a silence that some find louder than any scene.

As "Michael" rolls out in more markets this week, it's likely to keep breaking records. Whether it also sparks a deeper cultural reckoning - or simply lets fans revisit a beloved artist without confronting the hard parts - remains to be seen.