Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Grosses Over $1 Billion Globally

The Michael Jackson biopic, titled 'Michael', has officially surpassed $1 billion USD in global ticket sales, securing its position as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time. This milestone surpasses the previous record held by 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The film's commercial success represents a significant achievement for Lionsgate, marking its largest release and first title to reach the billion-dollar benchmark.

The global box office revenue for 'Michael' is broken down into $629.8 million USD from international markets and $371.8 million USD from domestic ticket sales. During its opening weekend, the film achieved a strong performance, earning $97 million USD domestically and $217 million USD globally, which exceeded the opening weekend record set by 'Straight Outta Compton' in 2015. The film's narrative focuses on Michael Jackson's rise to superstardom, from his beginnings with the Jackson 5 to his status as the 'King of Pop'.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and with the support of the Jackson family, 'Michael' features Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's nephew, in his official acting debut. The cast also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long, who portray Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively. The film's story concludes in 1988, deliberately omitting controversies from the artist's later years, and aims to provide an honest portrayal of his journey to fame. The production has been a major success for Lionsgate, solidifying its position in the film industry.