Michael Becomes Highest-Grossing Music Biopic in History
The film has reportedly brought in $911.9 million worldwide, surpassing 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody
Less than two months after it premiered, Michael has become the highest-grossing biopic of a musician of all time. Deadline reports that the Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael Jackson flick, which stars the late star’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the titular role, has brought in $911.9 million worldwide, surpassing 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Both films, notably, were produced by the same man, Graham King.
Per Deadline , Michael has also set a number of other records, including securing the largest global opening weekend sales ever for a music biopic. It’s the second-highest grossing film of 2026 thus far, following The Super Mario Galaxy Movie , and it's also the second-highest grossing biopic ever, behind Christopher Nolan’s 2025 film Oppenheimer .
Michael , which has been approved by the Jackson estate, was originally slated for a 2025 release. But that date was postponed due to a clause in a settlement with Jordan Chandler, who accused Jackson of sexual abuse in 1993. His deal with the Jackson estate contained a stipulation forbidding any depiction of him in a future film. Michael ’s original ending reportedly focused on Chandler’s allegations, and the process of rewriting and reshooting a new third act, which follows the singer as he prepares for a massive solo tour in support of 1987’s Bad , cost between $10 million and $15 million.
