Michael Just Beat Bohemian Rhapsody to Become the Highest-Grossing Music Biopic of All Time

Michael Jackson Biopic Smashes Box Office Record

History has been made at the box office. The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has officially surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time worldwide, crossing the $900 million mark and now moonwalking its way toward the coveted $1 billion milestone.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua with a screenplay by John Logan, the film has far exceeded industry expectations since its theatrical debut on April 24, 2026. What started as a risky passion project has become one of the biggest box office phenomena of 2026.

Breaking Down the Record: Michael vs. Bohemian Rhapsody

For context, Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), which chronicled the life of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury with Rami Malek in an Oscar-winning performance, held the music biopic crown at approximately $910 million worldwide. Michael has now eclipsed that number, making it the new king of music biopics.

The film's lead star, Jaafar Jackson - yes, Michael Jackson's actual nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson - has been widely praised for his performance. Critics noted his uncanny ability to capture both the physical mannerisms and the emotional depth of the King of Pop. Alongside him, Colman Domingo delivers a powerful turn, and Nia Long brings warmth to her role as Katherine Jackson.

Adding to the momentum, Michael recently scored the biggest opening day of 2026 in Japan, earning more than double what Bohemian Rhapsody pulled on its Japanese debut. The film continues to dominate internationally even as it transitions to streaming platforms.

Now Streaming - But the Box Office Story Is Not Over

Despite hitting digital streaming on June 9, 2026, the film's theatrical legs remain surprisingly strong. This hybrid release strategy - theaters first, streaming second - has been a proven formula for studios looking to maximize revenue, similar to how Top Gun: Maverick and Dune: Part Two handled their rollouts.

Industry analysts predict that Michael could become one of the first music biopics to cross $1 billion worldwide, joining an elite club that includes very few non-franchise films in history. For comparison, only Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, and a handful of other tentpole films have reached that mark.

Producer Graham King, who also produced Bohemian Rhapsody, has now cemented his reputation as the go-to producer for music biopics. Between the Queen story and the Jackson story, King has delivered two of the most commercially successful music films ever made.

What This Means for the Music Biopic Genre

The success of Michael signals a continued appetite for music biopics from audiences. With upcoming projects about Prince, Whitney Houston, and Bob Marley in various stages of development, the genre shows no signs of slowing down.

For millennials who grew up with Michael Jackson's music as the soundtrack to their childhoods, this film has been a deeply emotional experience - and the box office numbers reflect that personal connection.

Michael is now available on digital platforms for rent or purchase. If you have not seen it yet, now is the perfect time to witness what might just be the most successful music biopic the world will see for a very long time.