Music

Michael Jackson Movie Is Close to Becoming Highest-Grossing Music Biopic Ever

With $846.3 million worldwide, 'Michael' closes in on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' as global audiences drive the music biopic’s box office surge.

Michael Jackson performing energetically on stage, wearing a red sequined jacket and white shirt, holding a microphone.
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Michael Jackson’s big-screen story is on the verge of making box office history.

More than a month after its theatrical release, Michael has generated approximately $846.3 million worldwide, putting the film within striking distance of becoming the highest-grossing music biopic ever released.

According to Billboard, the movie now trails only Bohemian Rhapsody, the 2018 Queen film centered on Freddie Mercury, which earned roughly $911 million globally during its theatrical run. With less than $65 million separating the two films, industry observers expect Michael to challenge and potentially surpass that record in the coming weeks.

The momentum remains strong. The film added more than $58 million worldwide over the past week alone, suggesting that its climb toward the top of the all-time music biopic rankings will happen sooner rather than later.

A major factor in the film’s box office performance has been its international appeal. Nearly 60 percent of Michael‘s global revenue has come from markets outside the United States and Canada, underscoring the worldwide reach of Jackson’s legacy.

The film also represents another major win for producer Graham King, who helped bring both Michael and Bohemian Rhapsody to the screen. King previously found success in the music-biopic genre with 2014’s Four Seasons story Jersey Boys.

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