The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has officially become the highest-grossing biographical film in cinema history, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning Oppenheimer at the worldwide box office.
Just over two months after its theatrical release, the film has grossed more than $977 million globally, edging past Oppenheimer, which previously held the record with approximately $975 million in worldwide earnings. The milestone places Michael at the top of one of Hollywood’s most competitive genres and moves it within touching distance of the historic $1 billion mark.
The achievement also cements the enduring global appeal of Michael Jackson, whose music and legacy continue to resonate nearly two decades after his death.
A Record-Breaking Run at the Box Office
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael opened strongly in April with a record-breaking $217 million worldwide opening weekend for a biopic. Since then, the film has maintained impressive momentum across domestic and international markets.
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The movie has earned around $370 million in North America while adding nearly $600 million from overseas audiences. Major international markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Mexico and Australia, have all contributed significantly to its success, with Japan also posting strong numbers following its later release.
The film now sits ahead of Oppenheimer and Bohemian Rhapsody, which round out the top three highest-grossing biopics worldwide.
Industry analysts believe Michael could soon become the first biographical film in history to surpass $1 billion at the global box office if its current theatrical run continues or through a future re-release.
Jaafar Jackson Leads a Star-Studded Cast
The film traces Michael Jackson’s journey from his early days with the ‘The Jackson 5’ to becoming one of the most influential entertainers in music history.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the project has been the casting of Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, in the lead role. His performance has drawn praise from audiences for capturing the singer’s mannerisms, stage presence and iconic dance moves.
The cast also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.
Although critics offered mixed reviews, audiences have responded far more positively. While the film received a relatively modest critics’ score on review aggregation sites, audience ratings have remained exceptionally high, reflecting strong fan support.
Michael Jackson’s Legacy Continues to Shine
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The success of Michael once again highlights the remarkable global influence of Michael Jackson. Seventeen years after his passing, the King of Pop continues to attract millions of fans worldwide, both through his music and now on the big screen.
The film’s commercial performance also reinforces the growing popularity of music biopics, following the success of films such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis and Straight Outta Compton.
While some reviewers have questioned the film’s treatment of the more controversial chapters of Jackson’s life, those debates have done little to slow its box office momentum. Instead, audiences have continued to turn out in large numbers, pushing the film to a historic milestone that few industry observers predicted.
With the billion-dollar mark now within reach, Michael is poised to set yet another record and further strengthen its place as one of the most commercially successful music biopics ever produced.
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