Dawn Images

Michael, the film on the life of the late pop superstar Michael Jackson, has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time with box office earnings of $977 million.

It has surpassed the previous record holder, Oppenheimer, which earned $965 million during its cinema run in 2023.

Michael, which previously held the record for highest-grossing music biopic, also set a record by earning $217 million during its opening weekend in April. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, nephew of the late singer, has become production company Lionsgate’s third highest domestic grossing film.

The film spans Michael Jackson’s career from his time in the Jackson 5 with his brothers until his 1988 Bad tour. It ends with the promise of a sequel covering the rest of his life, though it is unclear whether his child sexual abuse allegations will be covered in the next film. Michael drew criticism for not covering the allegations.

According to Rolling Stone, Michael the Jackson estate-approved biopic supported the movie through troubling production, including news that the filmmakers were legally prohibited from portraying the child abuse allegations made against the singer by accuser Jordan Chandler. They were reportedly forced to reshoot the third act, delaying the release by a year.