Michael Becomes Highest-Grossing Music Biopic in History

The film has reportedly brought in $911.9 million worldwide, surpassing 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody

June 14, 2026

Less than two months after it premiered on April 24, Michael has become the highest-grossing biopic on a musician of all time. Deadline reports that the Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael Jackson biopic, which stars the late star’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the titular role, has brought in $911.9 million worldwide, surpassing 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Both films, notably, were produced by the same man, Graham King.

Per Deadline, Michael has also set a number of other records, including securing the largest global opening weekend sales ever for a music biopic. It’s the second-highest grossing film of 2026 thus far, following Universal, Illumination and Nintendo’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it's also the second-highest grossing biopic ever, behind Christopher Nolan’s 2025 film Oppenheimer.

Michael, which has been approved by the Jackson estate, was originally slated for a 2025 release. But that date was postponed due to a clause in a settlement with Jordan Chandler, who accused Jackson of sexual abuse in 1993. His deal with the Jackson estate contained a stipulation forbidding any depiction of him in a future film. Michael’s original ending reportedly focused on Chandler’s allegations, and the process of rewriting and reshooting a new third act, which follows the singer as he prepares for a massive solo tour in support of 1987’s Bad, cost between $10 million and $15 million.

Read Paul Thompson’s review Michael Review: Bad.

Hattie Lindert is an associate staff writer at Pitchfork. A former editor at Resident Advisor, she has written for Rolling Stone, The FACE and The A.V. Club, among others. She’s based in New York, and born and raised in Vermont. ... Read More