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‘Michael’ becomes first biopic to surpass $1b at global box office

‘Michael’ becomes

LOS ANGELES: Michael, the biographical film chronicling the life of the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, has become the first biographical film in history to surpass $1 billion at the global box office, setting a new benchmark for the genre.

Released in April, the film crossed the milestone in just 12 weeks, earning $1.001 billion worldwide, including $371.8 million in North America and $629.8 million from international markets.

The film has now overtaken Oppenheimer as the highest-grossing biopic of all time and surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing musical biopic ever.

Starring Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s nephew, the film traces Michael Jackson’s childhood, rise to global superstardom and transformation into one of the world’s most influential entertainers.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the movie opened with $97 million in North America and $217 million globally, setting a record for the biggest opening weekend for a musical biopic.

The milestone also marks a historic achievement for Lionsgate, with Michael becoming the studio’s first film to exceed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

 Industry reports say the film’s success has prompted discussions about developing a follow-up project exploring additional chapters of Michael Jackson’s life.

“Michael” biopic sparks renewed global craze for Michael Jackson

“Michael” biopic

The highly anticipated Hollywood biographical film “Michael” based on the life of global pop icon Michael Jackson was released worldwide on April 24, 2026, and quickly began trending on social media within hours of its debut.

The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, has already generated strong curiosity among audiences due to its trailer and star-studded cast.

Michael Jackson is portrayed by his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, marking his major acting debut. The film also features performances from well-known actors including Miles Teller and Colman Domingo, along with other supporting cast members.

The biopic focuses on Jackson’s early life, his journey with the Jackson 5, and his rise to global superstardom. It highlights his music career, family relationships, and the pressures of fame, with particular emphasis on his 1980s “Bad Tour” era.

Reports suggest that the screenplay underwent multiple revisions and reshoots during production, resulting in some limitations in covering certain aspects of his later life.

Early reviews of the film are mixed but largely critical, with reviewers praising its visual scale and musical performances while noting that some controversial aspects of Jackson’s life appear to have been treated cautiously or minimally.

Despite the criticism, Jaafar Jackson’s performance has received significant appreciation for closely capturing his uncle’s style, dance moves, and stage presence.

“Michael” had already been labeled one of the most anticipated biopics of 2026, and its global release is expected to draw large audiences to cinemas worldwide.

Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ trailer sparks buzz ahead of release

Michael Jackson

The first trailer of Michael, the highly anticipated biopic based on the life of American music legend Michael Jackson, has been released, quickly becoming a major topic of discussion across social media and film circles.

Following the trailer’s release, fans have reacted enthusiastically, expressing confidence that the biopic will portray the Pop King’s career in a powerful and compelling manner. The film is scheduled to hit cinemas on April 14.

According to the filmmakers, the project brings together different phases of Michael Jackson’s life, highlighting his musical journey, rise to global fame, and the professional challenges he faced along the way.

The biopic deliberately avoids making long-standing controversies and allegations the central focus, instead emphasizing his artistic struggle, achievements, and the highs and lows of his career.

Michael Jackson is portrayed by his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, marking his debut in a major feature film.

 In the trailer, Jaafar is seen capturing Jackson’s iconic walk, speech, singing style, and the legendary moonwalk. His vocal tone and precise dance moves have impressed many viewers, though some fans feel makeup and visual styling could have been enhanced to achieve an even closer resemblance.

Several scenes show a young Michael Jackson singing under a producer’s guidance, while brief yet striking moments highlight his signature dance moves and electrifying stage presence.

Despite its short duration, the trailer has successfully heightened anticipation, with fans now eagerly awaiting the film’s release in April.