Michael Jackson’s biographical film, Michael, has become the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history after earning $977 million at the global box office, overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which previously held the record with $975 million worldwide.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, has also cemented its place as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned $911 million globally.
Since its April release, Michael has generated $607.2 million internationally and $370.2 million in North America. It opened to $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide, setting a new opening weekend record for musical biopics and outperforming Straight Outta Compton’s previous benchmark of $60 million.
The film chronicles Jackson’s rise from his early years with the Jackson 5 to becoming the “King of Pop.” Jaafar Jackson makes his acting debut in the title role, while Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.
Despite its commercial success, the film has attracted criticism from some reviewers who argued it presents a sanitised account of Jackson’s life by excluding the child sexual abuse allegations made against the late singer. The filmmakers instead focused on recreating Jackson’s iconic performances and music videos, a strategy that resonated strongly with audiences.
The milestone also makes Michael the highest-grossing film in Lionsgate’s history, overtaking The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which grossed $865 million worldwide. Reports indicate the studio is expected to move forward with at least one additional film exploring Jackson’s life.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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