Apr 25, 2026 12:00pm IST
‘Michael’ Moonwalks Past ‘Project Hail Mary’ With ₹3.8 Cr Day 1, Claims Biggest Hollywood Opening of 2026 in India
"Michael”, the biopic based on Michael Jackson's life, opened strongly in India, becoming the biggest Hollywood opener of 2026 in the country. The film, which hit theatres this Friday, recorded early momentum through paid previews before translating that into a solid opening day performance.
According to industry tracker RecoBee, “Michael” collected an estimated Rs 3.8 crore net on its first day. The film had already brought in Rs 1.7 crore through limited paid previews on the evening prior to release, taking its total India net collection to Rs 5.5 crore. The overall gross for the film currently stands at approximately Rs 6.6 crore.
Related Stories
The opening puts “Michael” ahead of "Project Hail Mary," which previously held the top spot among Hollywood releases this year in India. “Project Hail Mary” collected Rs 2.25 crore net on its opening day across 1,324 shows, with a gross of Rs 2.70 crore.
The performance underscores the pull of music-driven biopics in the Indian market, particularly when centered on globally recognised figures like Jackson. The film’s pre-release buzz, combined with the artist's legacy, appears to have translated into footfalls, especially in urban circuits.
Popular on Variety
“Michael” is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jaafar Jackson in the lead role. The film traces Jackson's rise from his childhood as part of the Jackson 5 to the peak of his global fame as a solo artist.
With the weekend ahead, the film’s trajectory will depend on word-of-mouth and sustained occupancy across key territories. For now, “Michael” has established a clear lead among Hollywood releases in India this year.
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.