‘Michael’ Biopic Poised to Become the Highest-Grossing Movie of 2026

Musical biopics typically do not achieve blockbuster status, often settling for respectable but unremarkable runs before disappearing from theaters within weeks. However, ‘Michael,’ the biopic about Michael Jackson, has spent recent months quietly redefining the earning potential of this genre on a global scale.

This momentum has persisted longer than many industry analysts anticipated. Since its release in April, ‘Michael’ has consistently surpassed various milestones, overcoming harsh reviews and a tumultuous development process to become one of the year’s most significant box office stories.

Now, the film is nearing an even greater achievement. Current estimates suggest that ‘Michael’ is closing in on ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ for the title of highest-grossing film of 2026 worldwide, trailing by approximately $1.5 million. Given the pace of ‘Michael’s’ international earnings, this gap is expected to close within the week.

This pursuit of the top position follows an already historic milestone. ‘Michael’ has crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, making it the first biopic ever to achieve this feat. The film’s success is largely fueled by international audiences, with $629.8 million generated from overseas markets compared to $371.8 million domestically, significantly bolstered by Japan’s strong Jackson fanbase.

Director Antoine Fuqua shared his reflections on this accomplishment, describing reaching the $1 billion milestone as a deeply humbling moment that recognizes the relentless dedication of the film’s producers, cast, crew, and partners. He emphasized that this achievement belongs to everyone who united with a shared vision to honor one of the greatest artists in history.

Surpassing ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ would represent an unusual box office outcome. Video game adaptations and major animated sequels have dominated the billion-dollar club in recent years, following the trend set by hits like Ne Zha 2, Inside Out 2, and Zootopia 2. Thus, it is particularly noteworthy that a live-action musical biopic could out-earn one of these family-friendly global blockbusters.

‘Michael’ has already outperformed ‘Oppenheimer’s’ $975.8 million worldwide total, becoming the highest-grossing biopic of all time, while also surpassing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’s’ $911 million to claim the title of the highest-grossing music biopic ever produced. Additionally, the film has exceeded the lifetime global box office total of Disney’s 1994 animated classic ‘The Lion King,’ marking yet another historic achievement in its ongoing run.

What makes this success particularly remarkable is how it has unfolded amid significant controversy regarding the film’s development and content choices. ‘Michael’ faced substantial backlash from critics upon its release, yet the film’s vibrant musical presentation and Jaafar Jackson’s acclaimed performance as his real-life uncle have proven compelling enough to keep audiences engaged throughout the summer.

This staying power indicates something more significant than a single successful film. Nearly two decades after his passing, Michael Jackson’s enduring box office appeal suggests his cultural relevance remains robust, directly translating into ticket sales across numerous international markets.

With Lionsgate reportedly considering a follow-up film to explore the chapters of Jackson’s life that this movie leaves out, ‘Michael’ has already transformed the commercial landscape for musical biopics. Do you believe ‘Michael’ will officially surpass ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ as the year’s top earner? Share your thoughts in the comments.