Michael Jackson biopic nears $1 billion box‑office milestone

The film "Michael," a biographical musical about Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, has earned $991.4 million worldwide as of early July 2026. The box‑office surge includes $371.2 million domestically and $620.1 million internationally, with a notable $24.4 million coming from its Japanese release. The movie has set records as the highest‑grossing musical biopic, surpassing titles such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Oppenheimer," and "Straight Outta Compton," and is now within striking distance of the $1 billion benchmark.

Despite a 38 % Rotten Tomatoes score, industry observers attribute the film’s success to a brand‑driven strategy by the Jackson estate. PR expert Colm Phelan said, "A biopic becoming the highest‑grossing of all time while receiving middling reviews is a masterclass in IP over craft," noting that control of the music rights, narrative, and marketing helped attract audiences eager for the songs and mythology rather than a documentary approach.