Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Nears $1 Billion Box Office

Few artists have shaped global entertainment like Michael Jackson. Now, the King of Pop is rewriting history once again this time on the big screen.

The long-awaited biographical drama Michael has become one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. After months of dominating theaters across the world, the film has earned an astonishing $977 million at the global box office.

That remarkable performance places it within touching distance of becoming the first biographical film in cinema history to surpass $1 billion worldwide.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson in his feature-film debut, Michael chronicles the extraordinary rise of one of music’s most influential performers. The film follows Jackson from his childhood with the Jackson 5 to his transformation into the undisputed King of Pop.

Along the way, audiences experience many of his greatest musical moments through thirteen of his most celebrated songs.

Reaching this point was far from easy.Production faced major delays after the Jackson estate raised legal concerns surrounding a settlement agreement connected to one of Jackson’s accusers. As a result, Lionsgate ordered expensive reshoots and postponed the film’s release by almost a year. Despite those setbacks, public interest never faded.

Instead, anticipation continued to grow.When Michael finally premiered on April 24, audiences responded immediately. The film delivered an impressive $217 million worldwide during its opening weekend, setting a new benchmark for biographical films.

Since then, it has maintained remarkable momentum, collecting approximately $370 million in North America and another $607 million across international markets.

Its strongest overseas performances have come from Japan, the United Kingdom and Brazil, where moviegoers have continued filling theaters long after many blockbuster releases would have slowed down.

That sustained international demand has become one of the biggest reasons behind the film’s extraordinary success.

The latest achievement places Michael ahead of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, making it the highest-grossing biopic ever released.

The film also surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the most successful music biopic in box office history. Furthermore, it has delivered Lionsgate’s biggest theatrical hit ever, overtaking The Hunger Games: Catching Fire to claim the studio’s all-time record.

While ticket sales have soared, critical opinion has remained sharply divided.Professional critics largely criticized the film’s decision not to address the child sexual abuse allegations that surrounded Jackson’s later years. Consequently, the movie holds a critics’ score in the high 30-percent range on Rotten Tomatoes.

Audiences, however, have reached a very different conclusion.Moviegoers have rewarded Michael with a remarkable 97% audience score, creating one of the largest gaps in recent years between professional reviewers and cinema audiences.

That contrast highlights how viewers embraced the film’s emotional storytelling, musical performances and nostalgic celebration of Jackson’s career despite the critical debate.

John Branca, the longtime attorney for the Jackson estate, acknowledged those differing opinions in comments reported by the Hudson Valley Press.

According to Branca, audiences ultimately decided the film’s success through overwhelming support at the global box office, praising its performances and storytelling even as critics remained divided.

Much of that praise has centered on Jaafar Jackson.As Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar carried enormous expectations into his first acting role. Nevertheless, many viewers have praised his physical resemblance, vocal style and stage presence, making his performance one of the film’s biggest talking points.

The supporting cast also strengthens the production. Colman Domingo delivers a compelling portrayal of Joe Jackson, while Nia Long brings warmth and emotional depth as Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller and Laura Harrier further reinforce an ensemble that has helped elevate the film beyond a traditional music biography.

Beyond theaters, the movie has generated another major commercial victory.Streaming numbers for Michael Jackson’s music have surged dramatically since the film’s release, with listeners returning to classics across digital platforms.

That renewed interest provides an additional boost for Sony Music, which previously acquired a significant stake in Jackson’s music catalog through a deal reportedly valued at up to $1.5 billion.

The film’s impact, therefore, extends well beyond ticket sales. It has reignited global interest in Jackson’s music, introduced his story to younger audiences and strengthened the long-term value of one of the world’s most iconic entertainment catalogs.

With its theatrical run continuing across Japan and several international markets, Michael appears poised to achieve another unprecedented milestone. Barring an unexpected slowdown, the film is expected to become the first biopic ever to cross the $1 billion global box office mark.

Lionsgate reportedly sees even greater potential ahead. Industry reports suggest the studio is already exploring additional films that would continue telling later chapters of Michael Jackson’s life, signaling that this record-breaking success may represent only the beginning of a much larger cinematic franchise.

Whether viewed as a celebration of an unmatched musical legacy or as one of Hollywood’s biggest commercial triumphs, Michael has already secured its place in film history.

Now, the world is watching to see whether the King of Pop can achieve one final milestone by becoming the first artist whose life story powers a billion-dollar biographical blockbuster.