Michael breaks UK records for biggest opening | Video

Michael, Antoine Fuqua licensed biography of Michael Jackson until 1988, before allegations of child abuse were made against the singer, he performed less in the UK than in the US.

In the US, Michael was very successful at the opening Bohemian Rhapsody – more music than ever, which Michael shares with producer Graham King – by 90%, taking $97m (£72m) to $51m (£38m).

In the UK, however, Michael took £11.6m to Bohemian Rhapsody’s £6.4m – a ratio of 81%. However, it represents the biggest success of the project with the studio Universal, and it accounted for 68% of the total in the UK and Ireland in the three days from Friday to Sunday.

Other top hits in the UK include Rocketman (£4m), Elvis (£4m) and A Complete Unknown (£2.6m).

Universal Pictures Super Mario Galaxy movie came in second place, with a total of $46.5m (£34.5m), while Sony’s Project Praise Mary it came in third – its UK gross is $43.1m (£31.2m).

The Super Mario Galaxy film retains the crown of the biggest opening in the UK in 2026 so far, with $15m, followed by Michael, then. Pictures of Wuthering Heights and Project Hail Mary, each of which made £7m in their first three days.

The huge international results of Michael ($217m (£161m) worldwide, before the film opened in the main Japanese territory) represent the best result for Jackson’s finances, and put the film on course to become the first musical to make more than $1bn (Bohemian Rhapsody took $6680m)£.