“Michael,” the biopic starring Jaafar Jackson in his debut as his real-life uncle Michael Jackson, is now on track to gross more than $1 billion worldwide, becoming the first biopic to reach the coveted box office milestone. Since its release in theaters in April, the film has broken multiple records and continues to showcase the appeal of one of pop music’s most iconic figures.According to Variety, “Michael” earned $629.8 million overseas and $371.8 million domestically, bringing its global total to $1.001 billion.
director Antoine Fuqua reaction to milestones
Reflecting on this historic achievement, director Antoine Fuqua said: “Achieving this extraordinary $1 billion milestone with ‘The Michael’ is a deeply humbling moment that celebrates the tireless dedication of our incredible producers, cast, crew and partners. This achievement belongs to everyone who came together with a common vision to honor one of the world’s greatest artists. I’m so grateful that audiences around the world embraced this film, screened it in theaters, and resonated with this story across generations and cultures. This historic milestone is a testament to the enduring power of movies to bring us together, and it’s a chapter in cinema history that I will never forget. “This achievement is remarkable considering the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the production and the not-universally positive critical response.
Historical achievements and industry records
Among its many accolades, “Michael” has now surpassed “Bohemian Rhapsody” to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time. The film also surpassed “Oppenheimer” to become the largest live-action film.
The production and cast of the film
Director Antoine Fuqua helms “Michael,” which chronicles the performer’s extraordinary journey from his early days as a member of the Jackson 5 to his eventual rise to the King of Pop. Colman Domingo and Nia Long play his parents, Joe and Katherine, and other actors round out the cast.