Story perspectives

Jackson Biopic Nears $800M, Poised to Top Music Record

5/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic has earned $788 million worldwide, approaching the $800 million threshold.
The film added $28.5 million overseas this weekend, bringing its international total to $468 million.
Domestic earnings stand at $319 million, keeping the movie among 2026’s top releases.
Analysts say the June 12 Japan release could push total gross past $911 million, which would make Michael the highest-grossing music biopic, overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody.
Director Antoine Fuqua and lead actor Jaafar Jackson head the production.

History

Historical Context

When 20th Century Fox released Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018, the Queen biopic earned $910.8 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing musical biopic and the top-earning biographical film until Oppenheimer (2023). Its unprecedented success demonstrated the commercial pull of music-star stories, prompting studios such as Lionsgate to invest heavily in the 2026 Michael Jackson biopic.

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Story summary

Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic has earned $788 million worldwide, approaching the $800 million threshold.
The film added $28.5 million overseas this weekend, bringing its international total to $468 million.
Domestic earnings stand at $319 million, keeping the movie among 2026’s top releases.
Analysts say the June 12 Japan release could push total gross past $911 million, which would make Michael the highest-grossing music biopic, overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody.
Director Antoine Fuqua and lead actor Jaafar Jackson head the production.

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