Michael Jackson's biopic 'Michael' has made history by becoming the highest-grossing biopic of all time, surpassing Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'. The Lionsgate film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has grossed $977.4 million (£740.9m) globally, overtaking 'Oppenheimer''s $975.8 million (£739.1m). This milestone comes despite 'Oppenheimer''s Oscar-winning run, which included seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
Box Office Performance
Over the past weekend, 'Michael' pulled in $9.2 million (£6.9m) at the global box office. The film, still in theatrical release, is expected to reach $1 billion worldwide, which would make it the second film to do so in 2026 after Universal's 'Super Mario Galaxy' movie. Notably, 'Michael' achieved this record with a 46-day theatrical window, compared to 'Oppenheimer''s over six-month window before streaming on Peacock.
Comparison to Other Biopics
'Michael' has also surpassed the musical biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which earned $911 million (£690m). Both films were produced by Graham King. Fans have praised 'Michael' as 'the ultimate love letter to fans', despite major controversy surrounding the film's handling of child abuse allegations against Jackson.
Controversy and Cuts
According to Variety, the Michael Jackson estate spent up to $15 million (£13.5m) to remove child abuse scenes from the film. After a costly rewrite, the film now steers away from those allegations. Originally, the script leaned into the turbulence of when Evan Chandler accused Jackson of sexually abusing his 13-year-old son, Jordan Chandler, in 1993. Early versions included scenes depicting Jackson grappling with the fallout.
Cast and Availability
The film stars Jackson's nephew Jafar Jackson as the lead character. Colman Domingo portrays family patriarch Joe Jackson, and Miles Teller plays Jackson's longtime attorney John Branca. 'Michael' is available to rent on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Sky Store.
