2026 gets its second billion-dollar movie as Michael rules the box office

If you’ve had even a passing glance at the box office this year, you’ll know one film that everyone’s talking about: Michael, Antoine Fuqua’s whirlwind biopic about the late king of pop himself, Michael Jackson (with Jaafar Jackson – yes, the real-life nephew – in the lead). Since it hit UK screens back on April 24, 2026, the thing’s been snapping up records like it’s a game of Pac-Man. Let’s face it, everyone loves a proper underdog story, and Lionsgate desperately needed one.

How Massive Is 'Michael'?

So, first things first: Michael is now officially the world’s biggest music biopic, ever. Not just in the UK, not just in the US. Anywhere. Back in May, it edged out all others on home turf, and by June, it had leapfrogged past Bohemian Rhapsody (which, you’ll remember, made Queen even richer somehow) for the global title.

Now, according to The New York Times, Michael has jumped over the $1 billion mark globally. That’s some rare air:

• It’s only the second film in 2026 to manage a billion in global takings, right behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – which, by the way, is also causing panic in the Nintendo plush toy supply chain, not that anyone’s surprised.
• It’s a historic first for Lionsgate, their first movie to ever break the billion-dollar ceiling. Bear in mind, these are the same folks behind The Hunger Games, Twilight, and John Wick. Even with all those franchises, they’d somehow never managed it until now.

Lionsgate’s Comeback

Quick look in the rear-view mirror: Lionsgate wasn’t in great shape recently. In 2024, they cranked out 17 films but only pulled in $251 million domestically. Compare that to their 2012 peak of $1.72 billion – let’s just say, not great, Bob.

Then comes Adam Fogelson, who took charge of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group in 2024. Since then, nearly every bet’s landed. From micro-budget horror (The Long Walk), to psychological drama (The Housemaid), to another magic-heist caper in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t – they’ve all done serious business. But Michael is the jewel in the crown, obviously.

The Gamble No One Wanted

Here’s the backstage gossip: Plenty of major studios passed on Michael. Why? Studio execs reckoned the allegations against Jackson would make the whole project radioactive (and yes, we’re talking about those specific ones – the ones left out of the finished film, though they’re apparently planning to tackle them in a sequel). Despite all that, Lionsgate put up the $155 million to get it made. You have to admit, they’re having the last laugh now.

What’s Next in the Pipeline?

Lionsgate still has plenty of financial baggage to sort, but the future’s looking brighter than it has in years. Coming up, they’ve lined up:

Coming soon from Lionsgate:

• Sunrise of the Reaping – a new Hunger Games entry (out this November)
• Sequel to The Housemaid
• More Now You See Me
• A new John Wick sequel
• Bringing back both Rambo and Blair Witch
• And here’s a left-field one: a sequel to Mel Gibson’s 2004 biblical epic The Passion of the Christ, split into two instalments

All this against a backdrop where rivals like Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are scrounging for merger partners just to keep the lights on. Unlike the Disneys of the world who rake it in from theme parks and action figures, Lionsgate is, astonishingly, still living and dying by ticket sales at the cinema.

The $1 Billion Club – Who’s Next?

For the box office leaderboard this year, the only films so far to clear $1 billion are The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Michael. Pretty safe money says Toy Story 5 is about to join them. Next weekend, all eyes are on The Odyssey.