'Michael' becomes first $1-billion biopic ever
The Michael Jackson film overtakes 'Oppenheimer' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to become the highest-grossing biopic in history.
The Michael Jackson film overtakes 'Oppenheimer' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to become the highest-grossing biopic in history.
Box office milestone
Cinema history was rewritten this weekend as Michael, the biographical drama chronicling the life of Michael Jackson, officially surpassed the $1 billion worldwide box office mark.
Released in April 2026, the film reached the milestone in just over two months, becoming the first biopic ever to enter the billion-dollar club. It also overtook Oppenheimer as the highest-grossing biopic of all time and surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing musical biopic in history.
A first for Lionsgate
The achievement also marks a milestone for Lionsgate, with Michael becoming the first film in the studio’s history to earn more than $1 billion worldwide.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature acting debut, portraying his uncle’s journey from his early years with the Jackson 5 to becoming the King of Pop.
Mixed reviews, massive audience turnout
Despite its record-breaking commercial success, the film has generated significant debate. Critics gave largely mixed-to-negative reviews, while the production drew controversy over its decision to omit the child sexual abuse allegations that surfaced later in Michael Jackson’s life.
Even so, trade publications have credited the film’s extraordinary box office performance to Michael Jackson’s enduring global fan base and strong audience turnout, proving that public interest in the King of Pop’s story remains immense despite the controversy.
