Michael Jackson Biopic Outgrosses Oppenheimer

The biographical film 'Michael,' focusing on the early life of Michael Jackson, has achieved a significant box office milestone. Grossing $977 million worldwide, it has now surpassed 'Oppenheimer,' which previously held the record for the highest-grossing film based on a real person at $975 million globally. 'Michael' had already secured its place as the largest musical biopic, exceeding the $911 million generated by 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film features Jaafar Jackson, the late singer's nephew, in his acting debut as Michael Jackson. The narrative covers Jackson's journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his iconic status as the King of Pop. Critics noted that the film adopts a sanitized approach, omitting controversies like child sexual abuse allegations.

Lionsgate, the studio behind 'Michael,' is anticipated to produce at least one more film about Jackson's life. This decision likely stems from the film's success in leveraging crowd-pleasing elements, such as detailed recreations of concert performances and music videos, despite its avoidance of more contentious aspects of Jackson's later career.