Lionsgate's Michael Surpasses $991M, Becomes Highest-Grossing Biopic Ever

As of July 9, 2026, the biographical film Michael has earned $991.7 million at the global box office. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the film has surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing musical biopic and is currently the second-highest-grossing film of 2026.

Box Office Performance and Records

Michael has demonstrated significant commercial strength since its debut. The film opened to $97.2 million domestically, the highest debut ever for a musical biographical film, eclipsing the $60.2 million record set by Straight Outta Compton in 2015. By June 28, 2026, the film reached a major milestone by overtaking Oppenheimer ($975 million) to become the highest-grossing biographical film of all time.

The film’s performance has been bolstered by its international reach, where it has grossed $620.1 million as of July 9, 2026. Within the United States and Canada, the film brought in $371.6 million. These figures cement Michael as the highest-grossing film in Lionsgate’s history, surpassing the previous record holder, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which earned $865 million. Despite these financial successes, the film remains the second-highest-grossing release of 2026, trailing The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Production and Critical Reception

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the project features Jaafar Jackson—the nephew of Michael Jackson and son of Jermaine Jackson—in the lead role. The film follows the subject’s life from his early days as a child star in the Jackson 5 to his status as a global icon. According to the sources, the production utilized live vocals from Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Krue Valdi, blended with Michael Jackson’s original recordings.

Highest‑Grossing Biopic EVER: Michael Hits $991M

Family Involvement and Digital Availability

The project’s development saw varying levels of participation from the Jackson family. Prince Jackson, the eldest son of Michael Jackson, served as an executive producer. Conversely, his siblings, Bigi and Paris Jackson, were not involved, with Paris Jackson publicly criticizing the film on social media for alleged inaccuracy and full-blown lies. Additionally, Janet Jackson is not portrayed in the film.

Following its theatrical run, the film moved to home viewing platforms. Michael debuted on digital video-on-demand services, including Prime Video and Apple TV, on June 9, 2026. This transition occurred while the film was still performing strongly at the global box office, providing an alternative for audiences as the production continues its commercial life beyond the cinema.

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