“Michael” Lands Major Box-Office In Previews

Bad reviews be damned, Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is doing very big business at the box-office.

Domestic previews for the film pulled in around $13 million on Thursday night – easily the best preview numbers ever for a musical biopic, and the best for Lionsgate since the last “The Hunger Games” a decade ago.

That’s also about the same preview numbers as “Project Hail Mary,” which went on to an $81 million opening domestically.

Also helping is that the film is a smash hit with audiences, landing a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, which easily slams the film’s 40% critical score.

Meanwhile, the film’s international release has begun rolling out in 82 markets starting on Wednesday, with an $18.5 million first day in those markets.

Earlier this week, projections had the film opening to $150 million worldwide, with $65-70 million of that coming from domestic.

Source: Variety