Jackson Biopic Breaks Records, Controversy Persists

0:00It's April 27th. Welcome in. This is Music News Today, where music meets AI, on Cory with the story. The new Michael Jackson biopic just dropped the biggest opening ever for a music movie, raking in $217 million worldwide and $97 million in the US. His nephew, Jafar Jackson, stars as the king of pop and hit theaters last week to massive crowds. That beats out straight out of Compton's $60 million start in Bohemian Rhapsody's $51 million. So far in 2026, it's the second highest debut right behind the Super Mario Galaxy flick. But the success comes with heavy controversy over those child sex abuse claims against Jackson. The filmmakers scrap the final act that would have tackled them thanks to a clause from his $25 million settlement with accuser. Jordan Chandler, back in 1994. He beat charges in a 2005 trial, though leaving Neverland brought more stories from survivors by James Safechuck and Wade Robson.

1:02Lately, Safechuck spoke up for abuse survivors, saying the praise for figures like Jackson can trigger pain and urging folks to lean on support. The estate calls the doc one-sided, director Antoine Fuqua questions some parents motives for cash, and the leaving Neverland filmmaker fires back, that the movie's crew is just chasing profits. All this buzz shows Jackson's music still packs stadiums, but his full story stays complicated, leaving fans to wrestle with the highs and the shadows. Long after the credits roll.