Overview
- Industry trackers reported on Sunday that Michael has reached roughly $977 million worldwide, passing Oppenheimer’s lifetime total and making it the highest‑grossing biopic on record.
- The film opened to an unprecedented musical‑biopic launch of about $217 million globally, including roughly $97 million in the U.S., and sustained sales through repeat viewings and word of mouth.
- Lionsgate and international partners used a roughly 46‑day theatrical window before premium VOD, a far shorter release window than Oppenheimer’s, a strategy that contributed to revenue from both theaters and early digital sales.
- Critics and commentators have noted the movie ends its story in the late 1980s and omits later abuse allegations, and multiple reports say the Jackson estate influenced edits and prompted reshoots during production.
- The milestone makes Michael Lionsgate’s biggest title and has prompted studio talk of at least one more Jackson film while analysts say late runs in markets such as Japan and Russia could still push the total past $1 billion.