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Michael Becomes First Biopic to Top $1 Billion

Late overseas releases and strong repeat viewings drove global ticket sales past the billion-dollar mark.

Overview

  • The Michael Jackson biopic crossed $1 billion in worldwide box office receipts on July 12–13, 2026, with industry tallies reporting roughly $371.8 million in North America and $629.8 million overseas.
  • The film set multiple genre records after its April launch, including the biggest opening weekend ever for a musical biopic and the highest all-time gross for a film based on a real person.
  • Lionsgate produced and distributed the movie domestically while Universal handled international rollout, and this title is the studio’s first release to exceed $1 billion.
  • Late-stage production changes followed discovery of a legal settlement clause during postproduction, which led to reshoots and removal of scenes tied to the 1993 allegations and a reworked third act, a decision that has continued to fuel critical debate.
  • Studio executives and the director celebrated the commercial milestone and Lionsgate confirmed sequel development, with the studio pointing to international holds — notably a strong run in Japan — and repeat audiences as the key drivers of the final climb.