Michael Jackson’s biopic has sparked debate among cinema-goers.
Since the movie hit screens last week, devotees of the late musician, who passed away in June 2009 from an overdose of prescription painkillers, have been dressing in an array of his iconic costumes and dancing during the film.
While some have lauded the actions others have branded the move ‘annoying’, with one X user writing: ‘stuff like this makes me want to watch it at home… If I pay to see a MOVIE, I don’t want to see anyone else dancing other than Michael.’
Others however were delighted to see his legacy live on, with another X user writing: ‘Fans TOOK OVER the theater. People were dancing at the front of the screen like it was a live concert. This wasn’t a movie… this was a full-blown MJ revival’.
Showing his devotion to the singer was Cruz Beckham, who revealed he was headed to the cinema wearing a copy of the red leather jacket worn by Michael in the music video for his 1983 hit Thriller, the original of which sold 2011 for $1.8million.
The movie raked in $97 million domestically, and $120.4 million internationally, for a global total of $217.4 million
Fans were divided over the experience in theatres
This weekend, the eponymous biopic had a record-breaking debut – raking in $97m domestically, and $120.4m internationally – with the late King of Pop portrayed by 29-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film.
Throngs of superfans have descended on theatres, with many taking to the front row of the theatre to perform some of the star’s iconic moves, like the Moonwalk.
One irritated X user said: ‘I was thinking about going to see #michael tomorrow in the theater, but stuff like this makes me want to watch it at home instead. If I pay to see a MOVIE, I don’t want to see anyone else dancing other than Michael.’
On the divide, other users wrote: ‘The cinema turns into a dance floor! Fans attending to watch the movie “Michael” have sparked debate on social media, after some stood up to dance in front of the theater imitating Michael Jackson’s steps…
‘While some see it as part of the experience, others complain about the distraction during the screening… At the cinema during the biopic “Michael,” some fans stand up and dance in the aisles doing the moonwalk….
‘Some find it awesome and a tribute to Michael Jackson, others are annoyed, saying they came to watch the movie, not a show…
‘Many fans attending screenings of the film “Michael” complain about fans who come to the front of the theater dancing and doing Jackson’s moves, which happens in many cinemas, while some others praise this action…
Showing his devotion to the singer was Cruz Beckham, who revealed he was headed to the cinema wearing a copy of the red leather jacket worn by Michael in the music video for his 1983 hit Thriller
The jacket was sold 2011 for $1.8million (pictured)
‘Michael Jackson fans didn’t just watch the movie… they TOOK OVER the theater. People were dancing at the front of the screen like it was a live concert. This wasn’t a movie… this was a full-blown MJ revival’.
Michael had the biggest domestic opening for a biopic, landing $30 million over its projections as it surpassed Oppenheimer’s $80 million in 2023. It also sailed past Bohemian Rhapsody, becoming the best worldwide opening for a music biopic.
The success of the film comes despite backlash over the producers’ decision to leave out the allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer, which plagued him late in his career.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael is Lionsgate’s best debut since the pandemic, and the company’s sixth-biggest debut after four Hunger Games installments and the last Twilight film.
The movie also soared past the opening of Ryan Gosling-led Project Hail Mary to become the second-biggest opening of the year as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie remains in first place.
Producer Graham King and Lionsgate forced major production delays when they decided to scrap any mention of the pop star’s abuse allegations.
The biopic has been savaged by critics, earning a dismal 35 percent ‘rotten’ score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Last year Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson, 28, distanced herself from the project. However, her brothers Blanket, 24, and Prince, 29, showed their support as they attended its Berlin premiere earlier this month.
Paris took to Instagram to quash actor Colman Domingo’s claim that she is ‘very much in support of our film.’ The actor, 56, plays her great grandfather Joe Jackson in the movie.
The late King of Pop, who died in 2009 at age 50, is portrayed by 29-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film; Jackson pictured in 2005
He told People in late August that he’d ‘chatted briefly’ with Paris and her brother Prince at the amfAR Venezia Gala.
‘They’re very much in support of our film,’ Colman gushed. ‘I’m excited to be here at amfAR tonight with Paris. It feels like that’s a nice way for us to be together.’
Via Instagram Stories, however, Paris contradicted his statement and shared her side of things.
‘[Colman Domingo], don’t be telling people I was “helpful” on the set of a movie I had 0% involvement in lol that is so weird,’ she wrote to her millions of followers.
She added in a follow-up post, ‘I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest / didn’t sit right with me, and when they didn’t address it, I moved on with my life.’
