That’s the biggest preview haul of the year, above March’s “Project Hail Mary” ($12 million) and February’s “Scream 7” ($7.8 million).  The Michel Jackson biopic earned $3.8 million of its haul from early access screenings on Wednesday.

“Project Hail Mary” ended up earning $80 million in its opening weekend while “Scream 7” debuted to $63 million. “Michael” will easily top the box office as this weekend’s only major new release.

Michael debuted on Wednesday in several foreign territories. Globally, the film should earn with at least $140 million to $150 million by Sunday. (Universal is handling the overseas rollout.)

Antoine Fuqua directed “Michael,” which charts the singer’s early days in the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the biggest entertainers on the planet. Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson, is portraying the King of Pop in the film, with Colman Domingo and Nia Long playing his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.

The film underwent major reshoots, which added tens of millions to the budget, after the third act had to be scrapped.

The initial screenplay had recounted 1993 lawsuit that accused Jackson of child sexual abuse, which he denied. After the movie was shot, producers discovered a clause in the settlement with the young accuser that barred the depiction or mention of him in film or television.

If Michael reach the box office heights, Lionsgate is planning to make at least one more film about Jackson’s life.