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Michael Jackson's eponymous biopic is now the highest-grossing biopic of all time.
The project has soared past the 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, nearing $1 billion in worldwide box office earnings.
It comes one month after it pushed 2022's Elvis, starring Austin Butler, out of the second place ranking.
Michael, which features the King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson, 29, in the titular role, has raked in $911.9 million worldwide since it hit theaters on April 24, per Deadline.
The 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody previously held the number one spot with $216.7 million earned domestically and $910.8 million worldwide, per Billboard.
It comes 17 years after Jackson died in 2009 at age 50.
Michael Jackson's eponymous biopic is now the highest-grossing biopic of all time
It comes 17 years after Jackson died in 2009 at age 50
Michael has the potential to cross the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, which The Super Mario Galaxy Movie recently accomplished.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed film also had a record-breaking box office debut.
In its first weekend, it earned $97 million domestically, and $120.4 million internationally, for a global total of $217.4 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR).
Michael had the biggest domestic opening for a biopic, landing $30 million over its projections as it surpassed Oppenheimer's $80 million in 2023.
It also sailed past Bohemian Rhapsody, becoming the best worldwide opening for a music biopic.
Overseas, Michael's debut raked in $120.4 million from 84 markets.
It became the best opening for a music biopic in 63 of the countries, including the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Netherlands and South Asia.
The success of the film comes despite backlash over the producers' decision to leave out the allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer, which plagued him late in his career.
The late King of Pop is portrayed by 29-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson (pictured left) in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film
The biopic shows Jackson's meteoric rise to icon status after first performing as part of the Jackson 5 alongside his older brothers
The film depicts the star's path to become a solo artist
The total cost to make the movie was $200 million.
Producer Graham King and Lionsgate forced major production delays when they decided to scrap any mention of the pop star's abuse allegations.
The biopic has been savaged by critics, earning a dismal 35 percent 'rotten' score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
But it's been a hit with audiences, as evidenced by its monumental numbers.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael is Lionsgate's best debut since the pandemic, and the company's sixth-biggest debut after four Hunger Games installments and the last Twilight film.
It also soared past the opening of Ryan Gosling-led Project Hail Mary to become the second-biggest opening of the year as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie remains in first place.
English (US) ·