Michael Jackson's Biopic Shatters Records: A New Milestone for Lionsgate!

A Historic Achievement for Lionsgate

The biographical film "Michael," which chronicles the life of the legendary Michael Jackson, has made history for Lionsgate by becoming the studio's first film in over ten years to exceed $300 million at the domestic box office. Despite the fierce competition posed by the much-anticipated release of "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu," the film has shown remarkable resilience, indicating it may achieve even greater domestic success as it continues its theatrical run. Released on April 24, "Michael" is now the third film of 2026 to reach this significant box office milestone.

During its fifth weekend, "Michael" earned an estimated $20 million, with projections suggesting an additional $5.69 million over Memorial Day, bringing the total for the extended weekend to around $25.69 million. This impressive performance has pushed the film's total gross to approximately $319.9 million after just 32 days in theaters, marking the end of a 12-year drought for Lionsgate, which last saw a film cross the $300 million threshold with the "Hunger Games" series.

"Michael" now joins the ranks of four Lionsgate films that have surpassed the $300 million mark, following the top three films from the "Hunger Games" franchise. Analysts believe that the biopic has a strong potential to break into the top three, with expectations that it could ultimately earn at least $350 million domestically, surpassing "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1," which grossed $337.1 million.

On the international stage, "Michael" is approaching the $800 million milestone globally, having earned $28.5 million this weekend despite a 53% decline. The film has accumulated a total of $468.1 million across more than 83 international markets. When combined with its domestic earnings, the global total currently stands at approximately $788.05 million, with significant markets like Russia and Japan yet to see its release.

Looking forward, "Michael" is projected to aim for a global box office total between $950 million and $1 billion. As it continues to attract audiences, the biopic not only honors the legacy of Michael Jackson but also positions itself as a potential record-breaker in the biographical film genre, with the possibility of surpassing "The Passion of the Christ," which currently holds the record for the highest-grossing biopic at $370.3 million domestically.