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Michael Overtakes Bohemian Rhapsody as Highest‑Grossing Music Biopic

Japan’s wide opening helped push the Jaafar Jackson film past $911.9 million worldwide following a premium VOD release.

Overview

  • The Antoine Fuqua‑directed Michael, which opened in U.S. theaters on April 24, has now passed $911.9 million global box office after its June roll‑out into remaining markets including Japan.
  • Industry tallies show a roughly $358.6 million domestic total and about $553.3 million from international markets, with Japan’s opening day and weekend materially accelerating the run.
  • Lionsgate began premium VOD distribution in early June and confirmed in a May earnings call that a sequel is in development, with studio executives noting existing filmed material could feed a follow‑up.
  • Reporting documents production changes that included about $50 million in reshoots after the Jackson estate objected to dramatizing a specific accuser, and the finished film stops short of depicting later abuse allegations.
  • Critics gave the film mixed to negative reviews while audiences responded strongly, a split that helped sustain repeat business overseas and puts Michael on a plausible path to challenge overall biopic records and the $1 billion mark.