Michael has rewritten the box office record books.
After earning $977 million worldwide, the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic has overtaken Oppenheimer to become the highest-grossing biographical film of all time. The previous record holder, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, finished its global run with $975 million.
The milestone comes just months after Michael claimed another major crown, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody as the biggest musical biopic ever released.
Distributed by Lionsgate in the United States and Universal Pictures internationally, the film has generated $370.2 million domestically and $607.2 million overseas since opening in April. It launched with $97 million in North America and $217 million globally, setting a new opening-weekend record for a musical biopic and eclipsing the mark previously held by Straight Outta Compton.
According to some industry analysts, Michael is set to become the first biopic in history to cross $1 billion worldwide.
The film traces Michael Jackson’s rise from the Jackson 5 to global superstardom. Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s nephew, makes his acting debut in the lead role, while Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray Joe and Katherine Jackson.
Critics have argued that the movie presents a sanitized portrait of Jackson, however, that controversy has done little to slow audience demand. Strong word of mouth, repeat viewings and the film’s elaborate recreations of iconic performances and music videos have helped sustain momentum through the crowded summer release calendar.
The success has also boosted Jackson’s music catalog. Streaming numbers have surged across major platforms since the film’s release, with classics such as “Billie Jean” seeing renewed global popularity.
For Lionsgate, the achievement is historic. Michael is now the studio’s highest-grossing film ever, surpassing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. According to Variety, reports have suggested that the company is already considering at least one additional film exploring Jackson’s life and career.
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