Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Crosses $1 Billion at Global Box Office
9 reported
The biopic “Michael” has surpassed $1 billion in global ticket sales, becoming the first biopic to reach that milestone, according to a single-source report from Variety. The film about Michael Jackson has generated $629.8 million overseas and $371.8 million domestically, for a global total of $1.001 billion. It opened in April to $97 million domestically and $217 million globally, breaking the opening weekend record for musical biopics set by 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton.” The movie is the highest-grossing musical biopic, surpassing 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($911 million), and the biggest film based on a real person, overtaking 2023’s “Oppenheimer” ($975 million). It is also Lionsgate’s first film to reach $1 billion. Antoine Fuqua directed the film, with Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, making his acting debut as Michael Jackson.
What’s reported
“Michael” has earned $1.001 billion globally ($629.8 million overseas, $371.8 million domestically).
It is the first biopic to surpass $1 billion at the box office.
The film opened to $97 million domestically and $217 million globally, breaking the musical biopic opening weekend record set by “Straight Outta Compton” ($60 million).
It is the highest-grossing musical biopic, surpassing “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($911 million), and the biggest film based on a real person, overtaking “Oppenheimer” ($975 million).
It is Lionsgate’s first film to reach $1 billion; the studio’s previous highest-grossing releases were “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” ($865 million) and “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” ($850 million).
Lionsgate produced the film and handled North American distribution; Universal distributed internationally.
Only one other film in 2026, Universal’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($1.008 billion), has hit $1 billion so far.
Antoine Fuqua directed; Jaafar Jackson portrays Michael Jackson; Colman Domingo and Nia Long play Joe and Katherine Jackson.
Lionsgate is expected to greenlight at least one more film about Jackson’s life.
Key figures
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
Antoine Fuqua, director
Jaafar Jackson, actor (nephew of Michael Jackson)
Colman Domingo, actor (plays Joe Jackson)
Nia Long, actor (plays Katherine Jackson)
Sources: Variety
