Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Hits Box-Office Milestones

Michael Jackson, long celebrated as the King of Pop, is now making waves as the King of the box office. Nearly two decades after his passing, the biopic “Michael” is on track to achieve extraordinary figures at the box office, aiming for the $1 billion mark. Recent reports highlight that “Michael” has surpassed previous records to become the highest-grossing biopic, overtaking Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning 2023 film “Oppenheimer.”

Since its release on April 24, “Michael” has accumulated $977 million, outpacing “Oppenheimer,” which garnered $975 million. In third place is Queen’s 2018 biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with a lifetime collection of $911 million. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Michael” explores Jackson’s rise from being a member of the Jackson 5 to becoming a global icon. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, takes on the role of the pop star in the biopic. Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.

Despite its impressive box-office figures, the film received mixed reviews from critics. The Tomatometer scores the film at 38%, while Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, which reflects audience views, rates the film at 97%. Fans seem unsurprised, expressing confidence that Jackson would naturally reign supreme once again. Comments from fans range from, “It was only a matter of time. The King of Pop 👑,” to “Seventeen years gone and Michael Jackson is still releasing number ones 😂.”

However, distinctions between the films exist. One social media user noted, “Apples and oranges. Oppenheimer was an R-rated release.” “Michael,” rated PG-13, offers broader accessibility, which contributes to its financial success. It debuted with $97 million domestically and amassed $217 million internationally.

Though “Michael” commands significant box-office success, it has not escaped scrutiny. Critics have pointed out the film’s reluctance to address controversial parts of Jackson’s life. Despite these criticisms, the film continues to perform strongly at the box office, heading towards $1 billion in earnings.

“Oppenheimer,” meanwhile, received seven accolades from 13 nominations at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024, including Best Director for Nolan, Best Actor for Murphy, and the Best Picture award.