The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has officially rewritten box office history. After an extraordinary theatrical run, the film has become the highest-grossing biographical film of all time, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning Oppenheimer. The latest worldwide total stands at $977 million, pushing Michael ahead of Oppenheimer‘s lifetime global collection of $975.8 million.
The milestone also cements Michael as the highest-grossing musical biopic ever, moving past Bohemian Rhapsody ($911 million) and putting the film within touching distance of the coveted $1 billion mark.
Michael sets a new benchmark for biographical films
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael chronicles the life and career of the King of Pop, from his early years with the Jackson 5 to his rise as one of the world’s biggest music icons. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, in the lead role, a casting choice that attracted widespread attention long before its release.
Since arriving in theatres in April, the film has consistently delivered strong box office numbers across domestic and international markets. Its remarkable run has now culminated in a historic achievement, overtaking Oppenheimer, which had held the all-time biopic record since 2023.
The race among the highest-grossing biopics
With Michael taking the top spot, the list of the highest-grossing biographical films has undergone a major reshuffle.
The current top five worldwide earners are:
- Michael — $977 million
- Oppenheimer — $975.8 million
- Bohemian Rhapsody — $911 million
- Hi, Mom — $821 million
- The Passion of the Christ — $612 million
The achievement is particularly notable because Oppenheimer was widely considered one of the most successful biographical dramas in cinema history, winning multiple Academy Awards while dominating the global box office during its theatrical run.
A billion-dollar milestone now within reach
With worldwide collections already at $977 million, Michael is now just $23 million away from becoming the first biographical film ever to cross the $1 billion mark globally.
Industry observers believe the film still has enough momentum in several international markets to reach the landmark figure. If it does, Michael will not only extend its lead over Oppenheimer but also become the first biopic in history to achieve the billion-dollar milestone.
For Lionsgate, the film has already become one of the studio’s biggest commercial successes, while its record-breaking performance reinforces the enduring global appeal of Michael Jackson’s legacy decades after his rise to superstardom.
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