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Michael Jackson Biopic Nears $1 Billion Worldwide, Poised to Overtake Oppenheimer
The Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" is on the brink of becoming the first biographical film to break the $1 billion barrier at the global box office, Box Office Mojo reports. Released on April 24 in the United States by Lionsgate and on April 22 in the United Kingdom, the film has amassed $932.2 million worldwide after eight weekends, just $45 million shy of Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film Oppenheimer’s $975.8 million record.
In North America, "Michael" has earned $362.8 million over eight weekends, ranking it the 72nd highest‑grossing film in the region. The eighth three‑day weekend brought in $4.1 million, a 46.1 % decline from the previous week, and the release has dropped 380 screens following a digital rollout. Despite the contraction, the domestic run remains the strongest ever for a music biopic in U.S. history.
Internationally, the film has generated $569.4 million across 85 markets. Strong performances in Russia and Japan sustained a 10.5 % drop in the eighth weekend, while overseas earnings totaled $17.1 million during that period. The worldwide total of $932.2 million places "Michael" as the second‑highest‑grossing biopic of 2026 and the top‑grossing Lionsgate release of the year.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, "Michael" chronicles the singer’s early years from his time with the Jackson 5 to the Bad World Tour. Produced by Graham King, the film stars Jaafar Jackson as the title character, with Juliano Valdi portraying the younger version. Principal photography ran from January to May 2024, followed by reshoots in June 2025 after a legal settlement clause required the removal of references to the 1993 child‑sexual‑abuse allegations. The final production budget is estimated between $155 million and $200 million.
Critics have largely issued negative reviews, accusing the film of a sanitized narrative, though Jaafar Jackson’s performance has received praise. The release strategy—moving to a digital rollout that reduced theater screens—has been cited by industry observers as a factor in the domestic decline. Nevertheless, the film’s commercial success has been described as unprecedented for a music biopic.
Should "Michael" cross the $1 billion threshold, it will become the first biopic to achieve that milestone and will surpass Oppenheimer’s record, establishing it as the highest‑grossing biographical film ever. The outcome underscores the enduring audience appetite for biographical dramas, even as the market contends with streaming platforms and shifting theater attendance.
Lionsgate has announced a sequel is in development and is monitoring the film’s performance in the coming weeks. Analysts will view the box‑office trajectory as a barometer for the viability of large‑budget biopics in today’s cinematic landscape. At present, "Michael" remains $45 million short of overtaking Oppenheimer, with the next weekend’s earnings poised to determine whether the biopic will join the billion‑dollar club.
In North America, "Michael" has earned $362.8 million over eight weekends, ranking it the 72nd highest‑grossing film in the region. The eighth three‑day weekend brought in $4.1 million, a 46.1 % decline from the previous week, and the release has dropped 380 screens following a digital rollout. Despite the contraction, the domestic run remains the strongest ever for a music biopic in U.S. history.
Internationally, the film has generated $569.4 million across 85 markets. Strong performances in Russia and Japan sustained a 10.5 % drop in the eighth weekend, while overseas earnings totaled $17.1 million during that period. The worldwide total of $932.2 million places "Michael" as the second‑highest‑grossing biopic of 2026 and the top‑grossing Lionsgate release of the year.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, "Michael" chronicles the singer’s early years from his time with the Jackson 5 to the Bad World Tour. Produced by Graham King, the film stars Jaafar Jackson as the title character, with Juliano Valdi portraying the younger version. Principal photography ran from January to May 2024, followed by reshoots in June 2025 after a legal settlement clause required the removal of references to the 1993 child‑sexual‑abuse allegations. The final production budget is estimated between $155 million and $200 million.
Critics have largely issued negative reviews, accusing the film of a sanitized narrative, though Jaafar Jackson’s performance has received praise. The release strategy—moving to a digital rollout that reduced theater screens—has been cited by industry observers as a factor in the domestic decline. Nevertheless, the film’s commercial success has been described as unprecedented for a music biopic.
Should "Michael" cross the $1 billion threshold, it will become the first biopic to achieve that milestone and will surpass Oppenheimer’s record, establishing it as the highest‑grossing biographical film ever. The outcome underscores the enduring audience appetite for biographical dramas, even as the market contends with streaming platforms and shifting theater attendance.
Lionsgate has announced a sequel is in development and is monitoring the film’s performance in the coming weeks. Analysts will view the box‑office trajectory as a barometer for the viability of large‑budget biopics in today’s cinematic landscape. At present, "Michael" remains $45 million short of overtaking Oppenheimer, with the next weekend’s earnings poised to determine whether the biopic will join the billion‑dollar club.
