‘Michael’s $217 Million Box Office Shows Fans and Critics Want Different Things From Music Biopics | Analysis – Like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Michael Jackson film just played the hits for a fanbase larger than any biopic subject to date.
by chanma50
‘Michael’s $217 Million Box Office Shows Fans and Critics Want Different Things From Music Biopics | Analysis – Like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Michael Jackson film just played the hits for a fanbase larger than any biopic subject to date.
by chanma50
11 Comments
the movie accomplished what it set out to do — provide a highlight reel of mj’s biggest hype moments for devoted fans
it’s the later part of his life that’s gonna suck to adapt if they’re really set on doing those sequels tho
but… but the allegations… reddit told me this would flop terribly and wouldn’t pass 20m its first weekend /s
No kidding there – the numbers speak for themselves. Question is, will they return for a film that covers all the controversial shit? Possibly in a way that exonerates Michael of some *preeeety heinous things?*
Because they’re gonna go there. The footage is all set. Lionsgate likes to use what it has. All they need is a legal loophole from the estate to get around the Chandler settlement.
It’s vile. Heinous. And it’s just how showbiz works. Especially when this much cash is involved.
I mentioned this before, but critics want a nuanced view of a person and audiences want to relive all the artists greatest performances.
That’s why Bohemian Rhapsody did so well despite having a mid RT score, having basically no director, and entirely messing up the timeline of when Freddie got HIV. That movie nailed the one thing audiences wanted, which were the performances
Quite an accomplishment.
The entire media has been slaying the shit out of this movie.
>But what we’ve seen time and time again, not just with “Michael,” is that the core appeal of music biopics no matter who the subject is or what the skeletons in their closet may be isn’t the insight into the human behind the music, but simply seeing and hearing the greatest hits play out on the big screen.
This is why i think the upcoming Beatles biopic will be just fine.
Releasing all 4 movies on the same day is risky but it could work if Sony manages to turn it into an event.
I saw a great take on Instagram, which is rare since this discourse is already exhausting, but he said something to the effect of “whatever you expect of this movie, it’ll bounce right back at you.” General audiences wanted the greatest hits and recreation of iconic moments, and they got exactly that. If you expect a cliche and shallow biopic like a movie critic would, then you’ll get that too.
This should not be a surprise. Audiences mainly care about the experience and the performances when it comes to biopics. I knew the critics RT score would not have an effect.
It’s 2026 where anyone online can call themselves a critic or a journalist. We’re not talking about Roger Ebert here. I’m never surprised when the general public doesn’t take them seriously or at least don’t see their opinions to hold significant value over their own.
Also the general public is capable of enjoying a movie while also recognizing its flaws or omissions. It doesn’t automatically mean they are shallow.
I don’t give a shit about Jackson and we had a blast. it’s a fun theater experience.
People seem fixated on what it’s not. The story focuses primarily on the family relationships, especially the relationship between Michael and Joe. Ends in 1988. It’s total fan service and celebrates Jackson’s talent/music as a part of the Jackson 5 to a solo artist. If you can’t compartmentalize that for just 2 hours, it’s your loss.
Audience want a music experience boosted by (even if fake) back story. Critics, well, are distorted cinephiles that jerk themselves too much that view anything ordinary “bland”.