Erik Gruenwedel

June 28, 2026

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures June 28 announced that Michael, the musical biopic of Michael Jackson, closed out its 10th weekend in theaters with $977 million in global ticket sales, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer ($975 million, Universal) as the highest-grossing biographical theatrical release of all time.

Lionsgate has North American rights to the movie, while Universal has most international rights. Kino Films distributes the movie in Japan, while Volga handles the release in Russia.

“Michael Jackson’s music always belonged to the world, and this extraordinary milestone proves that his story still holds an unparalleled global power,” said Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “We are profoundly grateful to [director] Antoine Fuqua, Graham King, Jaafar Jackson, and our incredible partners at Universal Pictures. Together with the Jackson estate, they have crafted a cinematic masterpiece that didn’t just break box office records—it completely redefined what a biographical film can achieve. To see audiences return to theaters multiple times to experience this journey together is a testament to the enduring magic of the King of Pop.”

Earlier this month, Michael, starring the late icon’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, passed 20th Century Studios’ Bohemian Rhapsody ($911 million) as the top-grossing musical biopic in history.

The film, also starring Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller, covers Jackson’s meteoric rise from a 10-year-old prodigy fronting The Jackson 5 to a global phenomenon, culminating in his historic 1988 Bad World Tour.

“Bringing this monumental film to international audiences has been one of the most rewarding privileges in our studio’s history,” said Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Universal Pictures International. “From London to Tokyo, the cultural impact of Michael has transcended borders, languages, and generations. It has broken industry records in dozens of territories, demonstrating that the appetite for high-quality, emotionally resonant theatrical experiences is stronger than ever. We look forward to carrying this incredible momentum through the summer and straight into the film’s highly anticipated physical and digital home entertainment releases.”

The movie is currently available on digital retail platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google TV, YouTube Movies and TV, and Fandango at Home. The packaged media 4K UHD, Blu-ray Disc, and DVD editions release on July 14.

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