The Michael biopic has officially made history at the global box office. The film has surpassed Oppenheimer to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, reaching a worldwide total of $977.4 million in its tenth weekend.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film achieved this milestone on a 46-day theatrical window before moving to PVOD. For comparison, the previous record-holder, directed by Christopher Nolan, reached its $975.8 million total over a 123-day theatrical run. The project, which stars Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, has also secured its place as the highest-grossing music biopic ever, moving past the $911 million lifetime gross of Bohemian Rhapsody.
A Record-Breaking Run
The success of the film marks a significant achievement for Lionsgate, as it now stands as the studio’s highest-grossing release of all time, surpassing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The film opened to $97.2 million domestically, setting a new record for the largest opening weekend for a music biopic.
While the production faced challenges, including $50 million in reshoots to address screenplay concerns from the Jackson estate, the film maintained strong momentum. Despite mixed critical reception, it earned an A- CinemaScore and benefited from positive word of mouth throughout its theatrical run.
Looking Ahead
The film is currently available on premium digital and PVOD platforms. Fans looking for a physical copy can expect a release on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD on July 14. With the film nearing the $1 billion mark, Lionsgate has already confirmed that a sequel is in development.
You can find more information on the film’s production via the official Lionsgate project site.
