Michael came roaring into theaters, and we aren’t even surprised! After its April 24, 2026, release in the USA, it has already become the highest-grossing music biopic in the country with $240.4M at the domestic box office as per World of Reel.
Jaafar Jackson plays Michael Jackson in the movie, and we see the King of Pop’s journey from a troubled childhood to becoming one of the most renowned performers of all time.
The film ends with his Bad tour, and a second installment could already be on the cards since the first has turned out to be a massive box-office success. Now, let’s look at the movies it overtook to become the biggest hit in the genre, followed by how Michael survived harsh criticism and still thrived!
Here’s an overview of the movie:
TitleMichaelDirectorAntoine FuquaCastJaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Juliano Krue Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles TellerColman DomingoRunning Time127 minutesRotten Tomatoes(Tomatometer | Popcornmeter)39% | 97% (as of May 10, 2026)Production CompanyLionsgate Films, GK Films, Optimum Productions
Which Musical Biopics Did Michael Beat to Become No.1?
Leading the charge of biopics, we have Bohemian Rhapsody, with a monumental worldwide total, but Michael has beaten its domestic figures! Then we have Elvis, Straight Outta Compton, Rocketman, and Walk the Line, and the Jaafar Jackson starrer’s global business surpasses each of these highest-grossing music biopics. Take a look at the numbers, and see for yourself:
TitleWorldwide Box Office(via The Numbers, as of May 10, 2026)Domestic Box Office(via The Numbers) Rotten Tomatoes(Tomatometer | Popcornmeter)(As of May 10, 2026)Michael (2026) $577.3 M$240.4M39% | 97% Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)$879 M$216.3M60% | 85%Elvis (2022)$288 M$151.4M77% | 94%Straight Outta Compton (2015)$202.1 M$161.1M89% | 91%Rocketman (2019)$190.9 M$96.3M89% | 88%Walk the Line (2005)$187.7 M$119.5M83% | 90%
Michael is inching toward Bohemian Rhapsody’s crown, and with such momentum, it might just earn more! Given how rare it is for movies in this genre to perform well, this is an amazing feat for Michael!
How Michael Broke Records Despite Backlash From Critics
Jaafar Jackson in Michael (2026) | Credits: Lionsgate
Early reviews of Michael were horrible, and critics only pointed out the film’s flaws. They complained about how it lacked substance and did not show the dark side of his life. However, Michael Jackson’s fame is such that a barrage of bad reviews couldn’t stop fans from storming into theaters.
His songs are trending again, he’s all over social media, a whole new generation is learning about him, and it feels like he’s right here, with us! That’s the impact of Michael, a movie that triggered mass nostalgia in millions of people for one of the greatest performers ever. Sure, the movie does have its flaws, but viewers’ love for Jackson and his nephew’s amazing performance far outweigh the negatives.
So, have you watched Michael yet? And if not, are you planning to do so anytime soon? Let us know!
Michael is currently playing in theaters (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
