Antoine Fuqua’s film 'Michael', chronicling the life of the late pop superstar Michael Jackson, has achieved a significant box office milestone, becoming the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history. The film, which stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in his debut acting role, has now amassed a global theatrical haul of $977.4 million. This figure places it ahead of Christopher Nolan's critically acclaimed 'Oppenheimer', which previously held the record with approximately $975.8 million worldwide.
The achievement comes just weeks after 'Michael' first broke another major benchmark, surpassing the global gross of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the 2018 Freddie Mercury and Queen biopic. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' had long been the highest-grossing music biographical film, with a worldwide total of $911 million. 'Michael' was released in April 2026 and traces Jackson’s journey from child stardom with The Jackson 5 through to his rise as the 'King of Pop', covering landmark albums such as 'Off the Wall', 'Thriller', and 'Bad'.
The film's commercial success has been driven by a strong international performance, with $607.2 million of its total gross coming from overseas markets. The UK has proven to be a particularly lucrative territory, contributing over £55 million to the film's box office. Other significant international markets include France, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia, each generating substantial revenue.
Despite its remarkable box office triumph, 'Michael' has faced a mixed critical reception. Some critics have raised concerns about the film's narrative choices, particularly its decision to conclude the story in 1988, thereby omitting any engagement with the child sexual abuse allegations made against Jackson later in his life. Reports suggest that an earlier version of the script addressed the 1993 allegations, but legal considerations regarding a prior settlement led to reshoots and the removal of these elements.
The film also features Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, alongside Miles Teller and Laura Harrier in supporting roles. Its success highlights the enduring global appeal of Michael Jackson's legacy and the strong box office draw of biographical films, even those navigating complex and controversial subject matter.
While 'Oppenheimer' garnered significant critical acclaim, including seven Academy Awards such as Best Picture and Best Director, 'Michael' demonstrates that commercial success can be achieved even in the face of critical divisions. The film's robust performance, particularly its record-breaking opening weekend for a musical biopic, signals a strong audience appetite for stories centered around iconic music figures.