Story perspectives

“Michael” Tops Biopic Box Office, Critics Decry Sanitization

6/28/2026

Summary

Michael Smashes Records

The film “Michael” became the highest-grossing biopic, earning $977.4 million worldwide and overtaking Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” ($975 million).
It opened in late April with $97 million domestic and $217 million global weekend, then reached $370 million domestic, ranking third on Lionsgate’s all-time chart behind the two “Hunger Games” films.
Critics say the film sanitizes Jackson’s life by omitting abuse allegations, prompting Lionsgate to plan another Jackson film and a sequel that could exceed $1 billion worldwide.

Summary

Michael Japan Boom

Michael earned $12.5 million in its first week in Japan, pushing the global total toward $1 billion.
The third weekend earned $4.3 million, a 20.4 percent drop, while Sunday rose 9 percent.
Japanese gross now totals $25 million, $8 million shy of overtaking The Devil Wears Prada 2 for the year.
Fans attend in costume and perform choreography, a phenomenon John Branca called unprecedented.
Analysts say the film could exceed $50 million in Japan, depending on competition from Toy Story 5.

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Michael Smashes Records

The film “Michael” became the highest-grossing biopic, earning $977.4 million worldwide and overtaking Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” ($975 million).
It opened in late April with $97 million domestic and $217 million global weekend, then reached $370 million domestic, ranking third on Lionsgate’s all-time chart behind the two “Hunger Games” films.
Critics say the film sanitizes Jackson’s life by omitting abuse allegations, prompting Lionsgate to plan another Jackson film and a sequel that could exceed $1 billion worldwide.

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