‘Michael’ overtakes ‘Oppenheimer’ to claim all time box office crown

The film has also fuelled a major surge in Michael Jackson music streams, with fans revisiting his biggest hits

Michael has become the highest grossing biographical film of all time after earning $977m at the worldwide box office, surpassing Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and setting a new benchmark for the genre.

The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, traces Michael Jackson's life from his early years performing with the Jackson 5 to his rise as one of the most influential entertainers in music history. Released in April, the production quickly established itself as a commercial success, opening with an impressive global debut before continuing to attract audiences across international markets.

With worldwide earnings reaching $977m, Michael has now overtaken Oppenheimer, which previously held the record for the highest grossing biographical film. The achievement also extends the film's lead over previous music biopics including Bohemian Rhapsody and Straight Outta Compton, making it both the biggest musical biopic and the most successful biographical feature ever released.

A major talking point has been the casting of Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's real life nephew, in the lead role. His performance has received praise from many viewers, with audiences highlighting his resemblance to the late singer and his recreation of Jackson's signature performances, dance routines and stage presence. Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.

The film is also the most successful release in Lionsgate's history, overtaking The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Its box office performance is particularly notable because it exceeded that of Oppenheimer, a film that benefited from the hugely successful "Barbenheimer" cultural phenomenon during its 2023 theatrical run.

While audiences have embraced the film, critical opinion has been more divided. Several reviewers praised its large scale musical sequences and faithful recreation of iconic performances. However, others criticised the production for presenting what they described as a sanitised account of Jackson's life. Much of the criticism centred on the absence of detailed exploration of the long running child sexual abuse allegations that surrounded the singer before his death in 2009. Reports indicated that references to those allegations were removed following legal complications involving a historical non disclosure agreement.

Despite the mixed critical reception, audience response has remained overwhelmingly positive. Viewer ratings on major review aggregation platforms have significantly outperformed critics' scores, reflecting strong support from Jackson's global fan base.

The film has also generated renewed interest in Jackson's music catalogue. Following its release, streaming numbers increased substantially across multiple platforms. His songs have climbed streaming charts, with classics such as "Billie Jean" attracting millions of additional plays. Compilation albums have also enjoyed renewed commercial success, introducing Jackson's music to younger listeners while encouraging longtime fans to revisit his extensive catalogue.

Industry reports also suggest that Lionsgate plans to continue exploring Jackson's life on screen, with at least one additional film expected to follow.