michael jackson

The Michael Jackson biopic has done something almost no film manages in 2025 — it has blown past critics and gone straight to audiences. Released to largely negative reviews, the film has already pulled in $217 million globally, making it one of the biggest biographical film openings in recent memory. Whether you love or hate the movie, one thing is clear: America's fascination with the King of Pop is very much alive.

The Biopic That Critics Hated — and Audiences Didn't Care About

It's rare for a film to receive poor critical notices and still storm the box office. The Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled Michael, is doing exactly that. As of the latest reporting, the film has taken $217 million (around £160 million) globally in its opening stretch — a staggering figure that speaks to the enduring commercial power of the Jackson name.

Critics have taken issue with the film's handling of Jackson's complex legacy, including the abuse allegations that have followed his name since the early 1990s and were reignited by the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland. But audiences — particularly in the United States — have turned out in huge numbers regardless.

Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, plays the King of Pop in the film. The casting decision was itself a major talking point: supporters argue Jaafar captures Michael's movement and voice convincingly, while detractors feel the film sidesteps the darker chapters of Jackson's life too neatly.

What the Box Office Numbers Actually Mean

For context, a $217 million global opening places Michael comfortably among the top-grossing music biopics of all time. Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury film, grossed around $910 million total — but opened to a more modest $51 million domestic debut. Elvis (2022), directed by Baz Luhrmann, pulled in about $31 million in its opening weekend in the US before going on to earn $286 million globally.

If Michael sustains even half of its current momentum, it will clear those benchmarks. The word-of-mouth dynamic here is unusual: critics say skip it, fans say see it anyway.

Who Is Katherine Jackson, and Why Is She in the News Again?

With the biopic dominating conversation, interest in the Jackson family has surged across social platforms and search engines. One of the most-searched figures right now is Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother.

Katherine was born Kattie B. Screws on May 4, 1930, in Clayton, Alabama. She married Joe Jackson in 1949, and together they raised 10 children in Gary, Indiana — a working-class steel town outside Chicago. Michael, born August 29, 1958, was the eighth of those children.

Katherine has long been described by those close to the family as the emotional anchor of the Jackson household. While Joe Jackson's strict — and often controversial — management of the Jackson 5 drew widespread criticism, Katherine maintained a reputation as a devoted and stabilizing presence. She is a Jehovah's Witness, a faith she reportedly passed on to Michael during his childhood years.

Following Michael's death on June 25, 2009, Katherine became the primary guardian of his three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (known as Prince), Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson (formerly known as Blanket). She continues to be a central figure in ongoing legal battles over the estate, which is estimated to be worth over $2 billion.

Michael Jackson's Plastic Surgery: What He Actually Admitted To

Another topic trending sharply right now is Michael Jackson's appearance — specifically, the question of how much cosmetic surgery he actually had.

This is one of the most Googled questions about Jackson at the moment, and the answer is more nuanced than many assume. Jackson publicly admitted to only two rhinoplasties (nose jobs) during his lifetime, and attributed his dramatically lightened skin to a condition called vitiligo — a disorder that causes loss of skin pigmentation. He discussed this openly in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, which drew over 90 million viewers in the US alone.

However, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons who have spoken on record over the years have suggested the transformation went well beyond what Jackson acknowledged. Speculation has included chin implants, cheekbone modifications, lip thinning, and the use of chemical skin-lightening agents alongside any vitiligo treatment.

Jackson himself pushed back on most of these claims. In his 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson, filmed by journalist Martin Bashir, he acknowledged some procedures but insisted his transformation was largely natural or medically necessary.

Why This Conversation Still Matters

The biopic has renewed this debate because the filmmakers had to make specific choices about how to depict Jackson's changing appearance across decades. Those decisions have drawn scrutiny from both fans defending his legacy and critics who feel the film glosses over important truths.

For viewers curious about the plastic surgery question, the most reliable primary sources are Jackson's own words — particularly his Oprah interview (available on YouTube) and various published interviews from the 1980s through the 2000s.

Where to Watch, Stream, and Learn More About MJ Right Now

With interest at a peak, there are solid ways to dive deeper into the Jackson story beyond the biopic.

• The biopic Michael is currently in theaters across the US. Check Fandango or AMC Theatres for showtimes near you. Tickets typically run $15–$20 depending on your city and format (standard vs. IMAX).
• Leaving Neverland (2019) is available on Max (formerly HBO Max) and offers a starkly different perspective on Jackson's legacy. It's essential viewing for anyone wanting the full picture before forming an opinion on the biopic.
• Living with Michael Jackson (2003) can be found on various streaming platforms and gives a firsthand look at Jackson speaking about his life, Neverland Ranch, and his own self-perception.
• The Ultimate Collection box set remains one of the most comprehensive compilations of Jackson's music, available on Amazon and in physical format. Spotify and Apple Music both host his full catalog if you'd rather stream.
• For readers, Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli is widely considered the most thoroughly researched biography available in English.

Why the Jackson Conversation Isn't Going Away

The timing of the biopic's release is no accident. The estate and Sony Music have had a financial stake in rehabilitating Jackson's mainstream image since the Leaving Neverland documentary caused streaming numbers and radio play to drop noticeably in 2019. The film is, at least in part, a commercial and reputational strategy.

That said, Jackson's music catalog remains genuinely extraordinary. Albums like Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), and Dangerous (1991) defined entire eras of American pop culture. His influence on dance, fashion, music video production, and live performance is still felt across the industry — from Usher's Super Bowl halftime show callbacks to the moonwalk tributes that appear at talent shows across the country every year.

The debate around his personal life is unlikely to be settled by a biopic. But the $217 million box office figure tells you something real: for tens of millions of people, Michael Jackson is still one of the most compelling figures in American entertainment history.

Conclusion

The Michael Jackson biopic's extraordinary box office run — despite poor critical reviews — has reignited national conversation about every dimension of his life: his music, his family, his appearance, and his legacy. Whether you head to theaters, revisit his albums, or dig into the documentaries, right now is one of the best moments in years to engage seriously with who Michael Jackson was and what he left behind.