13 July,2026 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Michael biopic (Pic/Still from film)
The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has joined the elite USD 1 billion club at the global box office. Led by Jaafar Jackson in his acting debut, the film is now the first biopic ever to achieve the milestone while setting multiple box office records along the way. The film has also gone on to surpass Oppenheimer's collection.
As per Variety, the Michael Jackson biopic collected USD 629.8 million overseas and USD 371.8 million domestically, taking its global tally to USD 1.001 billion.
The film has been breaking records since it opened in theatres in April this year. Michael opened to USD 97 million domestically and USD 217 million globally, breaking the opening weekend record for musical biopics previously held by 2015's Straight Outta Compton.
In another accolade, Michael now stands as the highest-grossing musical biopic, breaking the record set by 2018's Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned USD 911 million worldwide. It is also the highest-grossing film of all time for Lionsgate, as well as the studio's first film to ever reach USD 1 billion, stated Variety. It has also surpassed Oppenheimer's collection.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael follows the journey of pop icon Michael Jackson from his days with the Jackson 5 to his rise as the King of Pop. The singer's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portrays Michael Jackson in his acting debut. Colman Domingo and Nia Long play his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.
The project was developed with the support of several members of Jackson's family years after his death in 2009 at the age of 50.
According to the film's official description, Michael offers an "honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated" music icon. The story concludes in 1988, focusing on Jackson's rise to global superstardom and not covering the allegations that emerged in later years, stated People.
Michael Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant figures of the 20th century. Over a four-decade career, his musical achievements broke American racial barriers and made him a dominant figure worldwide. He popularised street dance moves such as the moonwalk, the robot, and the anti-gravity lean.
