The Michael Jackson biopic has officially rewritten the record books, becoming the highest-grossing biographical film of all time after overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer at the global box office.
The long-awaited film, titled Michael, continues its remarkable theatrical run, proving that the King of Pop’s legacy remains as powerful as ever decades after his passing.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson—Michael Jackson’s nephew—in the lead role, Michael has now grossed an impressive $977.4 million worldwide after ten weekends in cinemas.
The milestone sees the film edge past Oppenheimer, which concluded its box office run with $975.8 million, making Michael the most successful biopic ever released.
The film has earned $370.2 million in North America, while international audiences have contributed an additional $607.2 million, highlighting the late singer’s enduring global appeal.
This latest achievement comes just weeks after Michael surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing music biopic in history.
Interestingly, both record-breaking films share the same producer, Graham King, whose track record with music-based biographical films continues to impress Hollywood.
The movie has attracted strong audiences across multiple continents, with fans praising Jaafar Jackson’s striking resemblance to his legendary uncle and the film’s recreation of some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic moments.
Can ‘Michael’ cross the $1 billion mark?
With the film still showing in cinemas worldwide, industry analysts are now watching closely to see whether Michael can become the latest member of Hollywood’s exclusive $1 billion club.
If it reaches that milestone, it will become only the second film of 2026 to surpass the billion-dollar mark globally, following the massive success of Super Mario Galaxy.
The achievement would further cement the film’s place as one of the year’s biggest box-office successes.
More than 15 years after his death, Michael Jackson continues to demonstrate unmatched global influence, with audiences across generations turning out to celebrate the life and career of the man widely regarded as the King of Pop.
From breaking biopic records to setting new box office milestones, Michael has become more than just a film—it is another reminder of the lasting cultural impact of one of music’s greatest entertainers.