The Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ has passed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales. It is the first biopic in film history to reach that mark. The film has earned $629.8 million overseas. It has earned $371.8 million domestically. That brings its global total to just over $1 billion.
A record-breaking run since April
“Michael” opened in theaters on April 24, 2026. It made $97.2 million domestically in its first weekend. It made $217 million worldwide in that same weekend. Both numbers broke the opening record for a musical biopic. The old record belonged to “Straight Outta Compton” in 2015, which opened at $60.2 million.
The film kept earning steadily through the summer. On June 14, it passed $911 million globally. That made it the highest-grossing music biopic ever, surpassing 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” On June 28, it crossed $976.7 million. That made it the highest-grossing biopic ever made, in any genre, passing 2023’s “Oppenheimer.”
“Michael” is also Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film release ever. It passed “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” for that title. It is only the third film in 2026 to cross $1 billion worldwide. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Toy Story 5” are the others in that group so far this year.
Cast and production
Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in his acting debut. Juliano Valdi plays a younger version of Jackson. The supporting cast includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, and Laura Harrier. Antoine Fuqua directed the film. John Logan wrote the screenplay. Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain produced it.
The story follows Jackson from his childhood with the Jackson 5 through his rise as a solo star. It ends with him preparing for the 1988 Bad tour.
Filmmakers and studio executives celebrated the billion-dollar milestone in statements. Fuqua called it a humbling achievement that honors Jackson’s legacy. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson credited the cast, crew, and the Jackson estate for the film’s success.
A difficult path to release
The production was not smooth. Reshoots reportedly cost between $40 million and $50 million. The changes came after the Jackson estate flagged a legal issue tied to a past settlement. That settlement barred the film from depicting one of Jackson’s accusers, Jordan Chandler.
The film’s original script reportedly included scenes about the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson. It also included a police search of Neverland Ranch. Those scenes were removed during editing. The film’s ending was reworked to focus on the Bad tour instead.
Criticism over omissions
“Michael” has faced sharp criticism despite its box office success. Reviewers and commentators say the film leaves out major parts of Jackson’s life. The film does not mention the child sexual abuse allegations that emerged against Jackson starting in 1993. It does not include his 2005 criminal trial, where he was acquitted. It does not mention his struggles with prescription drugs, his marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, or his death in 2009 from an overdose involving Propofol.
Critics have also noted that the film does not address the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland.” That documentary featured two men who said Jackson abused them as children. The Jackson estate has called those claims false and pursued legal action against HBO over the film.
The timing of “Michael’s” release added to the controversy. In April, four adult members of the Cascio family spoke publicly about a lawsuit filed in February. They allege Jackson sexually abused them as children. Three of the four had previously denied any abuse in a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey. They told The New York Times that their earlier statements were untrue.
Separately, a trial involving accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck against Jackson’s companies is scheduled for November 2026.
Some of Jackson’s family members are also missing from the film. His sister Janet Jackson does not appear. Family member La Toya Jackson said Janet was asked to take part but declined. Siblings Rebbie and Randy Jackson are also absent.
Critics have been far less enthusiastic than audiences. The film holds a 38 percent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience score sits at 94 percent.