In a landmark achievement for the biopic genre, Lionsgate's Michael has officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, becoming the first film of its kind to reach that coveted milestone. Starring Jaafar Jackson—the real-life nephew of the King of Pop—the Antoine Fuqua-directed musical biopic has captivated audiences worldwide, despite a rocky reception from critics.
The film's box office haul now stands at $1.0016 billion, with $371.8 million coming from domestic theaters and $629.8 million from international markets. This makes Michael not only the first biopic to hit the billion-dollar club but also Lionsgate's first film ever to achieve that feat. It also recently surpassed Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer to become the highest-grossing film based on a real person in cinema history.
Until last weekend, only one other 2026 release—The Super Mario Galaxy Movie—had crossed the $1 billion threshold. That animated sequel, featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black, just barely edged past the mark as its theatrical run wound down. Many industry insiders had expected Toy Story 5 to be the next to join the billion-dollar club, but the King of Pop had other plans.
While Michael faced significant backlash from critics upon its release, audiences embraced the film's shiny, musical spectacle. Jaafar Jackson's uncanny lead performance earned widespread praise, and fan enthusiasm has been so strong that Lionsgate has already confirmed a sequel is in development. Studio film chief Adam Fogelson expressed excitement about the progress, noting that conversations with all appropriate parties are going exceptionally well. A sequel would inevitably need to tackle some of the more controversial aspects of Jackson's life, which the first film largely sidestepped.
Fogelson also commented on the film's historic run: "Audiences have embraced the film from the beginning, turning it into a unique cultural phenomenon in theaters around the world. Their passion speaks to the enduring appeal of one of the greatest recording artists of all time, and it underscores the continued strength and vitality of the theatrical moviegoing experience."
This milestone is particularly significant given the current box office landscape, where animated sequels and franchise fare have dominated the billion-dollar club. Michael proves that a well-crafted musical biopic can still draw massive crowds, especially when it celebrates an iconic figure like Michael Jackson. For context, other recent billion-dollar earners include China's Ne Zha 2, Inside Out 2, and Zootopia 2.
As the industry watches to see what's next, Lionsgate is clearly betting big on the Jackson legacy. With a sequel already in the works, the studio is poised to continue mining the King of Pop's story for box office gold. Meanwhile, fans can look forward to more musical moments and perhaps a deeper dive into the complexities of Jackson's life in the follow-up.
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