Michael Roars Past $900 Million, Jackson Biopic on the Brink of Box Office History

Michael is not slowing down. The Michael Jackson biopic just cruised past $900 million worldwide, and at this point it feels like we’re all just waiting to see how high it goes.

Where the money is right now

Lionsgate ’s biggest release ever stars Jaafar Jackson playing his uncle, and the movie has turned into a giant. According to industry tallies, it has pulled in about $355.2 million in the U.S. and roughly $544.8 million overseas, pushing it over that $900 million line. Universal is handling the international rollout, and the film has been performing so well that trade chatter even claims it has outpaced Oppenheimer in some comparisons. Take that how you will, but either way, the momentum is real.

The record in its sights

Here’s the big one: Michael is only about $11 million shy of overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody to become the top-grossing musical biopic of all time. It has already surpassed Rhapsody’s totals in multiple markets, including the UK, France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia. The global crown is very much within reach.

Still more runway ahead

Wildly, there’s still fresh box office on the table. Japan gets the movie in June 2026, and a streaming release comes after that. Given the strong previews and debut it had, nobody should be shocked if this one keeps climbing — $1 billion is absolutely in play if it continues to hold and those final territories show up.

Yes, a sequel is officially happening

Lionsgate had been kicking around the idea even before Michael opened, but the studio only locked it in once the box office went supernova. Film chief Adam Fogelson says there’s plenty left to explore — not just major moments from Jackson’s life that didn’t make the first movie, but also a deep bench of hit songs and even scenes that were cut the first time around that could be repurposed.

"There are so many other events that happened, even in the time frame of the original movie, that weren't touched upon, so we're very, very confident that we've got an incredibly entertaining movie that will appeal once again to a global audience as the pieces come together."

Translation: they have material, they have demand, and they’re going bigger. And remember, the first film hasn’t even peaked in every territory yet.

• Global box office: $900+ million
• U.S.: about $355.2 million
• International: about $544.8 million (Universal distributing overseas)
• Only ~$11 million shy of Bohemian Rhapsody’s all-time musical biopic record
• Already ahead of Rhapsody in the UK, France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia
• Japan release: June 2026; streaming to follow
• Lionsgate’s highest-grossing release to date
• Sequel confirmed; promises new life events, more songs, and restored/deleted material

Bottom line: Michael is doing victory laps and it’s not done yet. If it doesn’t crack that $1 billion mark, it won’t be for lack of momentum — or markets left to open.