The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has now officially overtaken Oppenheimer at the global box office, marking a major milestone of $977M for the Antoine Fuqua-directed film (via Box Office Mojo as of June 29, 2026). What began as a strong opening for the biopic has grown into one of the biggest box-office stories of the year, with the movie continuing to draw audiences across multiple markets.
Backed by the enduring global appeal of Michael Jackson’s legacy, the film has now climbed past Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning blockbuster in lifetime worldwide earnings. The achievement puts Michael in rare territory for a music biopic and shows that audience interest has remained strong well beyond opening weekend, even as critical response has been mixed in some markets. FandomWire’s very own M.N. Miller gave it a 4/10.
Michael Becomes the Highest-Grossing Biopic Ever, Eclipsing Oppenheimer
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson | (Credits: Lionsgate Films)
The film’s latest milestone is especially notable because it has now passed Oppenheimer, which had long stood as one of the strongest global performers among recent prestige releases. While Nolan’s film became a cultural event in its own right, Michael has found an even broader commercial lane thanks to the built-in recognition of its subject and the worldwide reach of Jackson’s fan base. That combination has helped the biopic stay competitive across key international territories and push its total into record-breaking territory.
For studios, the success of Michael is another reminder that music biopics can still be major theatrical draws when they are tied to a globally known icon. For fans, it shows that Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to command attention on a massive scale, years after his death. With its box-office climb still ongoing, Michael is now one of the defining theatrical success stories of 2026.
Released in the U.S. on April 24, 2026, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop and brings the singer’s life story to the big screen under director Antoine Fuqua. The film arrived with immediate commercial momentum, opening to about $217 million worldwide after a massive launch that included roughly $97 million domestically (via Deadline). That debut made it the biggest opening ever for a biopic and set the stage for a box-office run that has continued to outperform expectations.
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Michael is currently playing in theaters across the USA.
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