The film’s global total now stands at $911.9 million, pushing it past the long-standing benchmark set by the Freddie Mercury drama and cementing its place atop the genre’s commercial rankings. The achievement arrives as the picture opens in Japan, a market that could further extend its already historic run.
‘Michael’ Continues Record Breaking Box Office Run
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, “Michael” chronicles the rise of Michael Jackson from his childhood years with the Jackson 5 through the height of his solo superstardom during the Bad era. The movie stars Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in his feature film debut, alongside a cast that includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, and Laura Harrier.
The biopic’s latest milestone adds another chapter to an impressive theatrical performance that has consistently exceeded expectations since its April release. Distributed by Lionsgate in North America and Universal internationally, the picture has become the highest-grossing title in Lionsgate’s history while also ranking among the biggest titles of 2026 overall.
The box office success has arrived despite a mixed critical reception. While reviewers were divided over the film’s approach to Jackson’s life and legacy, many singled out Jaafar Jackson’s performance for praise. Audiences proved far more enthusiastic, helping propel the movie through a series of strong weekends and making it one of the year’s most talked about releases.
Its commercial momentum may not be finished yet. With a Japanese rollout now underway, industry observers will be watching to see whether the picture can cross the $1 billion mark worldwide.
The film focuses primarily on Jackson’s ascent to global fame, tracing key moments from his early years with Motown through the record breaking success of albums such as Thriller and Bad. A sequel is already in development, potentially allowing filmmakers to continue the story beyond the period covered in the current release.