…as film hits ₦123.2m opening in Nigeria, $217m globally

…Fans flooding cinemas nationwide

By Benjamin Njoku

Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu has expressed excitement following the groundbreaking record set by Michael Jackson’s biographical film, “Michael” which grossed ₦123.2 million during its opening weekend at the Nigerian box office.

The record showed strong local demand for the high-profile music drama, which is still resonating among the pop icon’s fans across the country.

At EbonyLife Cinemas in Lagos alone, the film grossed over ₦100 million during its weekend release. According to early box office data, the film opened with ₦111.6 million before climbing to a cumulative ₦123.2 million at the weekend.

The biopic also generated approximately $217 million during its opening weekend, including about $97.2 million from the domestic U.S. market and $121.6 million from international territories.

Starring Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, “Michael” made its global cinematic release last weekend amid thunderous applause.

In Nigeria, opening night witnessed a massive turnout of fans who thronged Silverbird Cinemas nationwide, Genesis Cinemas, EbonyLife Cinemas, and The Library to reconnect with their music idol through his biopic. Earlier, Peter Okoye of P-Square fame, who acknowledged the influence of Michael Jackson on his career, hosted a private screening of the film to celebrate the late music icon at The Legacy Room in Lagos.

Movie enthusiasts are still flooding cinemas to catch a glimpse of the film, which blends music, emotion, and storytelling into an engaging experience that held audiences from start to finish.

Celebrating the box office milestone, Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, comprising EbonyLife Films and EbonyLife Studios, expressed excitement that EbonyLife Cinemas has been ranked No. 1 cinema in West Africa for the box office performance of “Michael” in Nigeria.

She described the feat as “exceptional,” adding that the mission of EbonyLife Cinemas is “to continue leading, delivering excellence, and creating unforgettable cinema experiences for our audiences.

“The numbers don’t lie! Raking in over ₦100 million, this marks the biggest opening weekend for a Hollywood release in Nigeria and the biggest ever opening for any biopic globally with a record-shattering $217. million worldwide,” Abudu said.

The film, which features Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, has outperformed previous biographical films including “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Oppenheimer” in opening weekend earnings.

Reports indicate that “Michael” recouped an estimated 110% of its $200 million production budget within 48 hours of release. The film ranks among the most expensive biopics ever made, partly due to extensive reshoots that reworked its final act.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, “Michael” chronicles the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, from his early years with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the peak of his solo career during the late 1980s. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, in his debut role as the adult Michael, alongside Juliano Krue Valdi as the younger version of the star.

The film’s success reflects continued global interest in musical biopics, alongside recent releases about major artists such as Elton John and Bob Marley.