The King of Pop has officially taken his throne at the box office. The Michael Jackson biopic Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson as the legendary pop star, has surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
As of June 12, 2026, the Antoine Fuqua-directed film has earned a massive $911.9 million globally since its release on April 24, 2026. This figure edges past the $910.9 million lifetime total of the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which had held the record since its release in 2018.
A Record-Breaking Run Fueled by Overseas Demand
The film’s journey to the top was driven by overwhelming international support. While Michael earned a strong $358.6 million domestically, it was the international markets that pushed it over the edge, contributing a massive $553.3 million. Top-performing territories include the United Kingdom ($68 million), France ($54.3 million), Germany ($34.4 million), Brazil ($32.2 million), and Mexico ($31.4 million).
The record was unofficially secured just as the film opened in its final major market, Japan. The success even breaks producer Graham King’s own record, as he was the producer behind both Michael and the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody.
Critics Divided, But Audiences Love It
Interestingly, the box office success comes despite a stark divide between critics and moviegoers. The film currently holds a low 38% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with some reviews calling it an “overly-sanitized biopic.” However, the audience score tells a completely different story, sitting at an impressive 97%.
The film also earned an A- grade on CinemaScore, proving that general audiences are embracing the musical journey. Director Antoine Fuqua and star Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s real-life nephew) have been praised for capturing the energy of the pop icon’s most famous performances, even if critics felt the film glossed over the later controversies of his life.
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The Cast and the Push for $1 Billion
The film boasts a strong supporting cast, including Colman Domingo as patriarch Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as manager John Branca, and Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe. The story focuses specifically on Jackson’s rise to superstardom, concluding around the release of the record-breaking album Thriller.
With its current trajectory, the film is now eyeing the $1 billion milestone. If it hits that mark, it will also surpass Oppenheimer ($975 million) to become the highest-grossing biopic of any kind in history. Lionsgate has already confirmed that conversations regarding a sequel to the biopic are advancing.
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