There’s a new box office king. “Michael,” a biopic about the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, arrived in theaters as an instant sensation with $97 million domestically and $217 million globally in its first weekend of release.

The movie about music icon Michael Jackson has won over fans despite negative reviews and various controversies.

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael is projected to earn more than $85 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, which is far more than originally anticipated.

SUNDAY AM: Refresh for more..Lionsgate’s Michael this morning is sliding in at $97M domestic, and $217.4M worldwide. $120.4 million of that haul came from 82 international markets. Saturday stateside was $32.

Antoine Fuqua notched the best opening of his career at the box office this weekend as his Michael Jackson biopic Michael, from Lionsgate and Universal, debuted to $97 million in the U.S. and $217.4M

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael will own the box office and thrill the faithful — but as a portrait of one of the most complicated figures in pop history, it barely scratches the surface. There’s a

EXCLUSIVE: The walk-up business for Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, is doing significantly more than just easing down the road. Earlier tonight we heard they were at $10M, then $11M, now the combined previews from yesterday’s Imax/PLF fan 6PM showtimes plus today’s showtimes which began today at 12noon are between $12.