Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ tops box‑office, eclipsing Oppenheimer

Lionsgate’s biographical musical about Michael Jackson, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring the singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, has earned $977 million worldwide. The total surpasses Christopher Nolan’s "Oppenheimer" ($975 million) and makes "Michael" the highest‑grossing biopic of all time. The film also out‑earned earlier records set by "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Straight Outta Compton". Domestic receipts stand at $370 million while international markets have contributed $607 million, and the opening weekend generated a biopic record $217 million. Critics have given mixed reviews, noting the movie’s focus on Jackson’s musical career and its omission of later abuse allegations. The success crowns the film as Lionsgate’s most profitable release, overtaking "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire". The studio is already planning at least one sequel to continue exploring Jackson’s life.