Biographical film Michael becomes the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history

The Lionsgate biopic 'Michael', directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, has reached $977.4 million in global box office earnings in its tenth week. This performance surpasses the $975.8 million record previously held by Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'. Released in April 2026, the film covers Michael Jackson's career from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his status as the 'King of Pop'. Previously, the film became the highest-grossing music biopic, exceeding the $911 million earned by 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. While the film is a commercial success, it has faced criticism for omitting allegations of sexual abuse against minors, which were reportedly removed from earlier drafts at the request of the Jackson estate. Universal handles international distribution for the film, excluding Japan and Russia. Industry projections suggest the film may soon reach the $1 billion threshold.