The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, becoming the first film in Lionsgate’s history to reach the milestone. The announcement came on July 12, after 12 weekends in release. It is only the second film of 2026 to cross $1 billion globally, following Universal’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie earlier this year.
The film’s current worldwide total stands at just over $1 billion, comprising $371.8 million domestically and $629.8 million from international markets. Japan, one of Michael Jackson’s strongest markets globally, has driven much of the film’s late-stage box office performance. Released there through distributor Kino, the film has now earned $35.75 million and continues to perform strongly. Russia has also contributed meaningfully to the film’s worldwide total during its final weeks in theatres.
The achievement has rewritten the record books in several categories. Michael is now the highest-grossing biopic of all time, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which previously held the record with $975.8 million worldwide. Earlier in its theatrical run, the film also overtook Bohemian Rhapsody ($911 million) to become the highest-grossing music biopic ever made. Within Lionsgate’s own history, Michael had already surpassed the studio’s previous record holder, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which finished its global run with $865.2 million.
The billion-dollar milestone is equally significant for several of the filmmakers behind the project. For director Antoine Fuqua, Michael is now the highest-grossing film of his career, surpassing King Arthur, which earned $203 million worldwide in 2004. For producer Graham King, it has become his biggest theatrical success, overtaking his previous record holder, Bohemian Rhapsody. Screenwriter John Logan also adds another milestone to his résumé, with Michael now ranking as the second-highest-grossing film he has written, behind only the James Bond blockbuster Skyfall, which grossed more than $1.1 billion worldwide.
Among 2026 releases, Michael now ranks as the second-highest-grossing film of the year, behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. It also became the first biographical film in cinema history to surpass the $1 billion milestone, further cementing its place among the year’s biggest theatrical successes.
Michael stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, making his feature-film debut as the King of Pop. The film chronicles Jackson’s life from his early years with the Jackson 5 through his rise to becoming one of the most influential entertainers in music history. Colman Domingo portrays Joe Jackson, while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson. The supporting cast also includes Miles Teller, Mike Myers, Laura Harrier, and Juliano Valdi. The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by John Logan, and produced by Graham King alongside John Branca and John McClain.
Reacting to the milestone, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson credited the close collaboration between the filmmakers, cast, and the Michael Jackson Estate, saying audiences around the world had turned the film into a global theatrical event. Universal Pictures International President Veronika Kwan Vandenberg described Michael as a cinematic phenomenon that demonstrates the enduring global appeal of Michael Jackson decades after the height of his career.
Producer Graham King said it had been heartwarming to see audiences of all ages come together to experience the film in theatres, while director Antoine Fuqua called the billion-dollar milestone a deeply humbling achievement, adding that the success belongs to everyone who came together with a shared vision of honoring one of the greatest artists in music history.
For Lionsgate, Michael represents a landmark achievement unlike anything in the studio’s history. For the Michael Jackson Estate and the filmmakers behind the project, the film’s performance is a testament to Jackson’s enduring worldwide popularity. Although Michael has already secured its place in the record books, its theatrical run is not yet over. With Japan continuing to contribute strongly and several international markets still in play, the film’s worldwide total is expected to climb even higher in the weeks ahead.
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