According to Variety, Michael grossed $977 million at the global box office, with over $607 million of that coming from international markets.
This achievement allows the film to officially surpass Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer , which previously held the record with $975 million in global revenue. Simultaneously, Michael also becomes the highest-grossing musical biopic in history, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), which previously earned $911 million worldwide .
"Michael" grossed nearly $1 billion globally (Photo: News).
Released in April, Michael opened with $97 million in North America and $217 million globally. Thanks to positive word-of-mouth and the appeal of the Michael Jackson fanbase, the film's revenue continued to grow for several weeks. Currently, the film is still being screened in several markets, opening up the possibility of soon reaching the $1 billion mark.
Michael Jackson is considered one of the most anticipated film projects in recent years because he was not only a global music icon but also a figure whose life was full of ups and downs and controversies.
A unique aspect of the film is that the role of Michael Jackson was given to Jaafar Jackson – the singer's nephew – which gives the character a remarkable resemblance in appearance, demeanor, and performance ability.
The content of Michael recounts Michael's journey from his childhood in the Jackson 5 band, through the years under the strict management of his father Joe Jackson, to becoming the world's most famous solo artist with a string of classic albums such as Off the Wall, Thriller , and Bad.
The film portrays Michael's journey from musical prodigy to a cultural icon whose influence transcends language, nationality, and generational boundaries.
Jaafar Jackson - Michael Jackson's nephew - gave an outstanding performance as the pop star (Photo: News).
Besides the elaborately staged performances, the film also dedicates time to exploring the pressures of fame, family conflicts, and Michael Jackson's pursuit of artistic perfection.
Immediately after its release, Michael quickly became a huge hit at the international box office. The film attracted a large audience, especially Michael Jackson fans around the world.
The film's commercial success contributed to a surge in interest in his musical legacy. Many classic songs such as Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror , and Thriller saw a significant increase in online streaming after the film's release.
Moreover, younger generations of audiences—those who never witnessed Michael Jackson's peak—also have the opportunity to access and learn more about the career of this music legend.
However, Michael 's influence extended beyond entertainment. The film also revived years of debate surrounding Michael Jackson's life.
While many viewers consider it a fitting tribute to an artist who made a tremendous contribution to world music, a number of others argue that the film takes an overly positive perspective, failing to fully reflect the controversies and accusations that once overshadowed his life. This has made Michael one of the most discussed biographical films of recent times.
"Michael" became the highest-grossing biographical film of all time (Photo: News).
Professionals have given Michael Jackson mixed reviews. Most critics acknowledge Jaafar Jackson's impressive performance. He is highly regarded for his ability to recreate the performance style, voice, dance moves, and distinctive demeanor of his famous uncle.
In addition, the music, costumes, art design, and special effects are also considered outstanding strengths of the film. The performances are staged on a grand scale, contributing to a vivid recreation of Michael Jackson at his peak. For many viewers, this is the most appealing aspect of the film.
Conversely, many critics argue that Michael Jackson 's script lacks depth. Some believe the film focuses too much on glorifying Michael Jackson's career and image, while only briefly touching upon or superficially addressing the most controversial periods of his life. This leaves the story unbalanced and fails to fully reflect the complexity of the character.
Following its box office success, the prospect of a sequel to Michael Jackson 's work is considered very promising. The first film ends at the end of the Bad Tour and features the words "His story continues," indicating that the producers intended to expand on the story from the beginning.
A sequel to "Michael" is likely to be made (Photo: Getty).
According to published information, the crew has filmed a large amount of footage, and many important periods in Michael Jackson's life have yet to be shown on screen.
If a sequel is made, the content will most likely focus on the period from the early 1990s onwards, encompassing iconic albums like *Dangerous * and *HIStory* , global tours, philanthropic activities, and the increasing challenges and pressures Michael Jackson faced. However, this was also the most sensitive period of his life.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding its content, the work has contributed to bringing Michael Jackson's image and music closer to a new generation of audiences, while affirming the enduring appeal of one of the most influential artists in the history of popular music.