Michael Becomes the Highest-Grossing Biographical Film in Global Box Office History

The biopic Michael, based on the life and career of Michael Jackson, has set a new global record by becoming the highest-grossing biographical film in cinema history.

The film continues to attract strong audience interest months after its release. Thanks to its steady performance at the global box office, Michael has surpassed several major titles in the genre and secured its place in film history.

A New Global Box Office Record

The film’s worldwide box office total has reached $977 million. This milestone allowed Michael to surpass the previous record holder, Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, which ended its theatrical run with $975 million globally.

Before that, the Michael Jackson biopic had already overtaken Bohemian Rhapsody, the musical biopic that had long been regarded as one of the biggest commercial success stories in the genre.

With this achievement, Michael officially becomes the highest-grossing biographical film of all time.

A Strong Opening and Impressive Run

The film premiered in April and immediately generated massive audience interest. During its opening weekend, it earned $97 million in North America and $217 million worldwide.

The debut marked a record-breaking opening for a musical biopic, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Straight Outta Compton in 2015.

The film has maintained strong momentum ever since. Positive audience reception played a major role, helping the movie sustain strong box office numbers despite tough competition from other major summer releases.

International Markets Drove the Success

A significant portion of the film’s earnings came from international markets. Overseas box office collections contributed $607.2 million, while North America added another $370.2 million.

The film is distributed by Lionsgate in the United States and Universal Pictures in international territories. For Lionsgate, the film has already become the most profitable release in the studio’s history.

Biopics Continue to Dominate

The success of Michael once again highlights the growing audience appetite for high-quality biographical dramas centred on iconic personalities. In recent years, the genre has consistently delivered strong box office results by attracting fans of history, music and mainstream cinema alike.

Michael Jackson’s story once again proves the scale of his cultural influence. Years after his passing, the King of Pop continues to inspire millions around the world, and the film dedicated to his life has become yet another reminder of the immense global fascination with his journey, legacy and artistry.