Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Becomes Highest-Grossing Music Biopic Ever

The Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," has officially become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, accumulating a global box office total of $911.9 million. This figure surpasses the previous record set by "Bohemian Rhapsody," which had a worldwide gross of $910.9 million.

"Michael" has earned $358.6 million at the domestic box office and $553.3 million internationally. Universal contributed $540.5 million to the international total after acquiring foreign theatrical and ancillary rights for the Lionsgate and Universal co-production. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film stars Jaafar Jackson in the title role.

The film's global rollout is ongoing, with its arrival in Japan potentially pushing its worldwide total past $1 billion. Should this occur, it would mark the second film to reach that threshold at the 2026 global box office, following Universal's "Super Mario Galaxy Movie."

In addition to its overall gross, "Michael" has established several other records. These include achieving the largest global opening weekend ever for a music biopic, becoming the highest-grossing domestic biopic of all time, and ranking as the most successful biopic in France, where it outperformed "La Vie en Rose." The film has also exceeded "Bohemian Rhapsody's" lifetime gross in 40 international markets, including Brazil, France, and Mexico, and stands as Lionsgate's highest-grossing theatrical release worldwide.

Notably, both "Michael" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" were produced by Graham King, meaning King has now broken his own box office record for music biopics. The production of "Michael" involved $50 million in reshoots, which Lionsgate undertook after the Jackson estate identified a key issue with a plot point in the screenplay concerning one of Jackson's accusers.

(Source: Billboard)