Michael has become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody to claim the box office crown less than two months after its release.
The film, which stars Jaafar Jackson as his late uncle Michael Jackson, has earned $911.9 million worldwide since arriving in cinemas on April 24, surpassing the previous record-holder Bohemian Rhapsody, which grossed $910.8 million globally following its release in 2018.
The milestone comes just weeks after Michael overtook Elvis, the 2022 biopic starring Austin Butler, to become the second-highest-grossing music biopic in history.
Austin Butler. DFree, Shutterstock
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, the film chronicles Jackson's rise from child star with The Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
The project was made with the cooperation of the Jackson estate and features access to the singer's extensive music catalogue, including classics such as Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller.
The film got off to a record-breaking start when it debuted with $217 million worldwide, including $97 million in North America, making it the biggest opening weekend ever for a music biopic.
That surpassed the opening weekends of both Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody.
The movie also marked a major breakthrough for Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael's brother Jermaine Jackson, who made his feature film debut in the role.
Ahead of the release, he revealed he had just 20 days to convince filmmakers he could portray his famous uncle on screen.
"I had 20 days to prove myself to them and the filmmakers, to prove that I can pull it off within those 20 days," he said during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Despite its huge commercial success, Michael has generated significant debate. Critics questioned the film's decision not to address the historic allegations of child sexual abuse made against Jackson during his lifetime.
Jackson consistently denied all allegations against him and was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.
Reports ahead of the film's release suggested that references to accuser Jordan Chandler were removed after legal complications emerged relating to previous agreements involving the Jackson estate, resulting in parts of the movie being reworked and reshot.
While some reviewers praised the film's musical sequences and performances, others criticised what they saw as a failure to engage with some of the most controversial aspects of Jackson's life.
The record-breaking success has already sparked discussions about a sequel. Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, recently confirmed there have been conversations about continuing Jackson's story on screen.
"There is a massive amount of music and life experiences separate and apart from allegations that would fill more than a second movie on its own," he said.
Although no official sequel has been announced, Fogelson suggested further filming could begin later this year or in 2027, depending on scheduling commitments.
For now, however, Michael has secured its place in cinema history, becoming the most commercially successful music biopic ever released and cementing Michael Jackson's enduring appeal with audiences around the world nearly two decades after his death.
