Some box office records take decades to fall, but this one fell in just a single summer.
Michael, the biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as his late uncle, has officially become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
It has also topped 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which made $911 million worldwide, to claim the title of the biggest musical biopic in cinema history.
For an artist like Michael Jackson, whose music has been the backdrop for weddings, school dances, and family gatherings around the globe, this milestone holds meaning far beyond Hollywood headlines.
His influence reached deep into communities across continents, including households in Britain and South Asia, where songs like Thriller and Billie Jean became timeless anthems. It’s fitting that a film telling his story would achieve similar global recognition.
This remarkable achievement was celebrated with heartfelt emotion at the 2026 BET Awards.
Jaafar Jackson and Nia Long took the stage at the Peacock Theatre to present the first award of the night, receiving warm applause as they acknowledged the film’s incredible success.
“We’re so grateful for the love you all showed to our movie,” Jaafar said to the audience. “You guys have the theatres packed. We’re truly humbled. Your support means the world to the Jackson family.”
For Jaafar, this role carries a weight that goes beyond the typical biopic.
He is not just an actor playing a legend; he is Michael Jackson’s actual nephew, stepping into his uncle’s story and embracing his family’s legacy.
Nia Long, who portrays Katherine Jackson, shared this sentiment during her speech. “Portraying Katherine Jackson reminded me that grace is quiet and still, and tonight we honour that,” she said. “Jaafar, it was an honour to watch you transform into your uncle right before our eyes.”
Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua, with Jaafar Jackson in the title role.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long play Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively, while the cast also includes Miles Teller, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Lauren Harrier, Joseph David-Jones, Rhyan Hill, Jamal R. Henderson, Tre Horton, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, and Kendrick Sampson.
The film’s focus is clear. According to the official synopsis, Michael presents an “honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated” music icon, concluding in 1988, primarily centred on Jackson’s rise to superstardom, while avoiding the controversies that arose later.
This creative decision has sparked much public discussion since the film’s release, framing this chapter as a portrait of his ascent rather than a comprehensive account of his life.
Regardless of the discussions around its scope, the commercial response has been undeniable.
A film based on one of history’s most influential musicians has claimed the title of the biggest box office success in its genre, surpassing not only Bohemian Rhapsody but also an Oscar-winning epic by Christopher Nolan.
For those who grew up moonwalking in their living rooms long before they entered a cinema, this achievement feels fitting in every way.