The Michael Jackson biopic has made cinema history, becoming the highest-grossing biographical film of all time after earning an impressive $977 million (£739 million) at the global box office.
The film, titled Michael, had already become the highest-grossing music biopic, surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody. It has now gone a step further by overtaking Oppenheimer, which previously held the record for the highest-earning biopic based on a real-life figure.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael follows the legendary singer’s journey from his early years as a child performer with the Jackson 5 to his rise as the internationally acclaimed King of Pop. The title role is played by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, while Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray his parents.
The movie made a strong start when it premiered in April, grossing $217 million worldwide during its opening week. It also became the biggest commercial success in Lionsgate’s history, surpassing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.Despite its record-breaking success, the film has sparked debate among critics.
While audiences praised its musical performances, emotional storytelling and Jaafar Jackson’s convincing portrayal, many reviewers argued that it presents a heavily sanitized version of Michael Jackson’s life.
One of the biggest criticisms was the film’s decision not to address the sexual abuse allegations that surrounded the late singer. Reports indicated that scenes referencing the allegations were removed following legal agreements, leading some critics to describe the movie as incomplete.
Although critics were divided, fans embraced the film, giving it significantly higher audience ratings than professional reviewers on major review platforms.The movie’s success has also reignited global interest in Michael Jackson’s music. His songs have experienced a massive surge in streaming numbers, with millions of listeners returning to classics such as Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller.
The renewed popularity has also pushed his greatest hits collection back to the top of the UK album charts.With its extraordinary box office performance and renewed interest in Jackson’s legendary music catalog, Michael has become one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. Reports also suggest that at least one additional film exploring the singer’s life is expected to follow.
