Box Office Summary for the Michael Jackson Documentary This Is It
This article focuses on the 2009 theatrical documentary This Is It, which presents rehearsal and performance footage of Michael Jackson in preparation for his canceled 2009–2010 concert series. The film made by Sony Pictures Entertainment generated significant global interest. The following sections break down its production budget, reported earnings by territory, and factors that affected its commercial performance.
Reported Budget and Financing
Production costs for This Is It were substantial due to marketing and the complexity of integrating archival rehearsal footage with new material. While studios rarely confirm precise budget lines, industry reporting indicated a production budget in the range of high tens of millions of U.S. dollars, supported by a major studio backing and a worldwide release plan.
Budget Details
- Production and marketing budget reported in trade press: approximately $40–50 million
- Financed and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Costs included remastering, post-production, and global print distribution
Global Box Office Performance
The film opened in late October 2009 and played in numerous territories simultaneously. It earned strong returns in its opening frames, particularly in the United States and several European markets, though its trajectory was affected by mixed critical reception and the circumstances surrounding Jackson’s death.
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Production Budget | Approximately $40–50 million | Trade press and studio filings |
| Worldwide Gross | $261.9–262.7 million | Box office reporting (circa October 2020s compilations) |
| North America Gross | $116–117 million | Box office reporting and studio data |
| International Gross | $145–146 million | Box office reporting and studio data |
| Release Year | 2009 | Public release records |
Profitability Context
Profitability for a studio film depends on the revenue split with theater chains and home video partners. A common rule of thumb indicates that a film needs to earn about twice its production budget in gross box office to break even once marketing and distribution costs are included. This Is It surpassed $260 million worldwide, well above its estimated budget, making it profitable for its distributor.
Regional Earnings Breakdown
While North America provided a significant portion of revenue, international markets contributed more than half of the total. The film’s premium pricing and global interest in Jackson’s catalog drove strong per-theater averages in many cities.
Notable Market Highlights
- United Kingdom and Germany: consistent top-grossing territories outside North America
- Strong per-screen averages in urban centers during opening weeks
- Extended theatrical windows in some regions due to ongoing demand
Home Media and Long-Term Revenue
Box office does not capture downstream earnings from Blu-ray, DVD, streaming licenses, and television rights. This Is It saw robust home video sales and continued licensing, adding to the overall commercial footprint of the project beyond theatrical runs.
Comparative Context
Compared with other music documentaries and concert films of a similar era, This Is It ranks among the higher-grossing theatrical releases, notable for its focus on rehearsal material rather than a live concert performance.
| Title | Release Year | Approximate Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|---|
| This Is It | 2009 | $262 million |
| Michael Jackson’s This Is It (earlier TV specials compilations) | Pre-2009 | Varies by territory and format |
| Other major music documentaries (for comparison) | Various | Range widely, often below $100 million |
Key Takeaways
- Budget: Roughly $40–50 million for production and marketing
- Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $261.9–262.7 million
- North America: About $116–117 million
- International: About $145–146 million
- Profitability: Positive, due to earnings well above the production budget
FAQ
Reader questions
Did the movie make a profit?
Yes. With worldwide earnings exceeding $260 million against a production and marketing budget in the range of $40–50 million, the film was profitable for its distributor.
Which territories contributed the most revenue?
North America generated the largest single share, but international markets, including the United Kingdom and Germany, added substantially to the overall gross.
How do these earnings compare to other Michael Jackson content?
This theatrical documentary remains one of the highest-grossing projects directly tied to Jackson’s performance archives, though it does not include music video rotation, catalog streams, or posthumous album revenue.