The Michael Jackson biopic has surpassed the Elvis Presley film to become the second highest-grossing musical biopic in cinema history, raking in $577 million since its April 24 release.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed film, which stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, 29, in the lead role, has been overtaken Elviswhich grossed $288.7 million worldwide in 2022, following a third weekend that grossed another $95 million.
It takes MichaelThe total is $240.4 million domestically and $336.88 million internationally.
Only Bohemian Rhapsodythe 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic, sits above with $910.8 million worldwide.
The film’s run at the box office was remarkable from the start.
Its opening weekend grossed $97 million domestically and $120.4 million internationally for a worldwide debut of $217.4 million, the largest domestic opening for a biopic, surpassing OppenheimerThe $80 million debut in 2023 and the best global opening for a music biopic.
It set records in 63 countries during its opening weekend, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Australia and South Asia.
France is a particularly strong market, with Michael topped the box office there most recently with $7.2 million in its third weekend.
The film is also expected to be released in Japan in June.
The success is all the more resounding given the controversy surrounding the production.
The film’s total cost reached $200 million after producers Graham King and Lionsgate removed any reference to the abuse allegations that followed Jackson in the final years of his career, forcing an additional 20 days of filming at a cost of $50 million.
Reviews have been largely unkind, the film currently sits at 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences have clearly reacted differently.
For Lionsgate, Michael represents its biggest debut since the pandemic and its sixth largest opening ever. It also became the second biggest opening of the year so far, behind only Super Mario Galaxy movie.
