‘Michael’ Becomes Highest-Grossing Biopic Ever, Surpasses ‘Oppenheimer’ at Global Box Office
Key Developments:
- Michael has become the highest-grossing biographical film in cinema history, earning $977 million worldwide.
- The film surpassed Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and earlier overtook Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing musical biopic.
- Despite its commercial success, critics continue to debate the film’s omission of major controversies from Michael Jackson’s later life.
Los Angeles (Variety) — June 30, 2026: The Michael Jackson biographical drama Michael has officially become the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history after earning approximately $977 million worldwide, overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning Oppenheimer, which previously held the record with around $975 million in global ticket sales.
According to updated box office figures released over the weekend, the film has generated approximately $370.2 million in North America and $607.2 million from international markets, making it one of the biggest global theatrical successes of 2026. The milestone also cements Michael as the highest-grossing musical biopic ever, surpassing the long-standing record set by Bohemian Rhapsody.
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Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film chronicles Michael Jackson’s rise from his early years with The Jackson 5 to becoming one of the world’s most influential entertainers. The title role is played by Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s nephew, marking his feature-film acting debut.
The film opened strongly in April with nearly $217 million worldwide during its debut weekend, setting a new opening record for a musical biopic. Industry analysts attribute its continued box office momentum to positive audience reception and repeat viewership.
At the 2026 BET Awards, Jaafar Jackson and co-star Nia Long thanked audiences for supporting the film’s historic run. Addressing viewers, Jaafar Jackson said, “Your support means the world to the Jackson family,” while expressing gratitude to fans who helped propel the film close to the $1 billion mark.
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While Michael has achieved remarkable commercial success, the production has also attracted criticism from some reviewers and commentators. Critics argue that the film presents a largely celebratory portrayal of Michael Jackson’s life while omitting the child sexual abuse allegations that emerged during the later years of the singer’s career. Supporters of the film, however, have maintained that its primary focus is on Jackson’s musical legacy and career achievements rather than revisiting every controversy associated with his life.
The King of Pop’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, plays him in the movie.
The movie has also become the highest-grossing release in Lionsgate’s history, surpassing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Industry publications report that, following the film’s exceptional performance, discussions are underway regarding a potential sequel exploring later chapters of Michael Jackson’s career.
With global earnings now approaching the $1 billion milestone, Michael continues to rank among the year’s biggest theatrical releases, demonstrating sustained audience interest in large-scale musical biographical films.
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