The biographical drama Michael has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time after earning $977 million at the global box office, surpassing Oppenheimer.
According to a report by Anadolu carried by the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA), the film directed by Antoine Fuqua overtook Oppenheimer, which earned about $976 million worldwide following its 2023 release, to set a new box office record for a film based on a real-life figure.
The latest milestone comes after Michael also became the highest-grossing musical biopic, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody, which chronicled the life of Freddie Mercury.
Released in April, the film opened with $217 million worldwide during its first week in theaters and quickly emerged as one of the year’s biggest commercial successes.
The movie traces the life and career of Michael Jackson, from his early years performing with the The Jackson 5 to becoming the self-proclaimed “King of Pop.” Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stars in the lead role alongside Colman Domingo and Nia Long, who portray the singer’s parents.
The film has also become the highest-grossing release in the history of Lionsgate, surpassing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
While audiences have embraced the film, critics have been divided. Several reviewers praised Jaafar Jackson’s performance and the recreation of Michael Jackson’s concerts, choreography, and music videos, which feature the late singer’s original vocal recordings.
However, some critics argued that the film presents a sanitized portrayal of Jackson’s life by omitting allegations of child sexual abuse that emerged during the later years of his career.
Media reports said scenes referencing the allegations were removed during production following legal complications linked to a historical non-disclosure agreement.
Despite the criticism, audience reception has remained strong, with moviegoers giving the film significantly higher ratings than critics on review aggregation platforms.
The project received financial backing from Michael Jackson’s estate, which also authorized the use of the singer’s original recordings throughout the film.
