Michael Jackson biopic fuels IMAX record and sparks family feud

The Antoine Fuqua‑directed Michael Jackson biopic, starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, has become a cultural and commercial phenomenon. It crossed the billion‑dollar mark worldwide, making it the first biopic to do so, and its premiere boosted IMAX’s second‑quarter revenue to $103 million – the strongest performance since 2019 – with $69 million attributed to the film alone.

Meanwhile, Michael’s sister Janet Jackson publicly rejected any involvement with the project, condemning brother Jermaine’s role in the production. She said she would not join even for $5 million, accusing Jermaine of exploiting the family’s legacy for personal gain. The film has also drawn criticism for glossing over later abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, a decision reportedly influenced by legal constraints.