Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Dethrones ‘Oppenheimer’ to Set All-Time Box Office Record
Michael, the biographical drama directed by Antoine Fuqua, is officially the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history. The film, which chronicles the life of Michael Jackson, has amassed $977 million at the global box office, pulling in $607.2 million from international markets and $370.2 million domestically in North America. The project dethroned the previous record-holder, Christopher Nolan’s 2023 historical epic *Oppenheimer* ($975 million), while simultaneously setting a new all-time financial benchmark for studio Lionsgate.
Released globally in April 2026, the film stormed out of the gate with a massive $217 million opening weekend. The narrative traces Jackson’s journey from his early days performing with the Jackson 5 to his ascent as a global pop icon. The King of Pop is portrayed by newcomer Jaafar Jackson—the late musician’s real-life nephew—with Colman Domingo and Nia Long co-starring as his parents. In addition to claiming the overall biopic crown, *Michael* also broke the record for the highest-grossing *musical* biopic, a title previously held by the 2018 Queen film *Bohemian Rhapsody* ($911 million).
Despite its record-breaking box office haul and overwhelming audience enthusiasm, the film has elicited a mixed reception from critics. Reviewers noted that the filmmakers focused heavily on the artist’s creative evolution, largely sidestepping the legal scandals that clouded his later years—a creative choice widely attributed to the strict legal parameters set by the Michael Jackson estate. Nevertheless, the picture’s grand musical set pieces and heavy dose of nostalgia have propelled it to unprecedented commercial success.
