Michael has taken a strong start at the Indian box office, collecting around ₹6 crore (approx. $650K) on its opening day, including about ₹1.60 crore from Thursday previews. The performance comes as a surprise, considering Hollywood musical biopics have historically struggled in India. For comparison, Bohemian Rhapsody—a global blockbuster—managed only around ₹7 crore in its entire Indian run, a figure Michael nearly matched on day one itself.
Regional performance highlights
The film’s collections were heavily driven by South India, which contributed nearly two-thirds of the total.
Top-performing regions: Tamil Nadu–Kerala
Followed by: Telugu states and Karnataka
Hindi circuits: Mumbai–Pune performed reasonably well, while other regions lagged
This trend reflects the relatively niche appeal of English music in North India, compared to stronger appreciation in urban centers and the South. In India, Michael Jackson has historically enjoyed popularity more for his dance appeal, which aligns well with markets where dance-driven films perform better.
Box office trends and expectations
The opening was largely driven by advance bookings, which accounted for more than half of the first-day business. Early indicators suggest:
Saturday: Expected growth, though moderate
Sunday: Possible dip, especially in metro cities
Weekend projection: Around ₹17 crore ($1.75 million)
The real test will be the film’s hold on Monday, which will determine its long-term trajectory in India.
Global box office outlook
Internationally, Michael has opened strongly:
North America: ~$40 million on Day 1, heading toward a ~$90 million opening weekend
Overseas (pre-weekend): ~$32 million
Projected global weekend: $200 million+ (possibly up to $225 million)
If momentum continues, the film could target a $1 billion lifetime gross worldwide, making it one of the biggest musical biopics globally.