Lionsgate and Universal’s Michael has finally crossed $1 billion after 12 weekends in release, not only is that the second movie to do so in 2026 after Universal/Illumination/Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy, but it’s the first ever title for Lionsgate to clear that milestone.
The studio/distributor’s previous highest grossing movie ever was 2013’s Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which Michael surpassed a while ago, that Jennifer Lawrence movie ending its global run at $865.2M.
Broken out, the current domestic for the Antoine Fuqua-directed movie is $371.8M domestic and $629.8M overseas. It was always known that the musical biopic’s final market, Japan (via Kino), a very popular Michael Jackson territory, would take this movie across the $1 billion mark. Current running cume in Japan is $35.75M. Also fueling business in the last go-round of the Graham King-produced pic is Russia. King beat his previous record of highest grossing musical biopic (Bohemian Rhapsody with $911M WW) a while ago with Michael also out-boogeying Oppenheimer as the highest grossing biopic ever ($975.8M WW).
Michael is King’s highest grossing movie ever as a producer (beating Bohemian Rhapsody), Fuqua’s highest grossing movie ever (beating King Arthur‘s $203M WW) and screenwriter John Logan’s second-highest grossing after 007 title Skyfall ($1.1B).
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement, “Michael’s success was driven by our phenomenal partnership with our remarkable filmmakers Graham King and Antoine Fuqua, the incomparable cast led by Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo and Nia Long, and our successful collaboration with the Michael Jackson Estate. Audiences have embraced the film from the beginning, turning it into a unique cultural phenomenon in theaters around the world. Their passion speaks to the enduring appeal of one of the greatest recording artists of all time, and it underscores the continued strength and vitality of the theatrical moviegoing experience.”
Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of Universal Pictures International, remarked, “From its opening weekend to this historic milestone, Michael resonated with moviegoers worldwide and transcended the screen to become a cultural phenomenon. It has been a distinct privilege to bring this groundbreaking film to international audiences, and we are grateful to Graham King, Antoine Fuqua and Jaafar Jackson for delivering a cinematic sensation that proves, decades after his stardom, Michael Jackson remains a global superstar like no other.”
Producer Graham King said, “It’s been truly heartwarming to see people from all over the world, young and old, from all walks of life come together to experience this film and the joy that it’s brought to audiences everywhere.”
Director Antoine Fuqua reacted, “Reaching this extraordinary $1 billion milestone with Michael is a deeply humbling moment that celebrates the tireless dedication of our incredible producers, cast, crew and partners. This achievement belongs to everyone who came together with a shared vision to honor one of the greatest artists the world has ever known. I am profoundly grateful to the audiences around the globe who embraced this film, showed up in theaters, and connected with this story across generations and cultures. This historic milestone is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to bring us together, and it is a chapter in movie history I will never forget.”
Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut as his uncle, Michael Jackson. The film also stars Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, Laura Harrier and Mike Myers, with Miles Teller and Colman Domingo. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film is produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain.
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