Michael Breaks a Record No Lionsgate Movie Has Matched — Not Even The Hunger Games

It’s not every day you see a studio break its own records — and Lionsgate, let’s be honest, isn’t known for shifting the landscape of blockbuster cinema. But here we are: the Michael Jackson biopic, very simply titled Michael, has just muscled its way past anything the studio’s ever put in cinemas, including all the teenage dystopian drama from The Hunger Games era and the sparkly vampire navel-gazing of Twilight.

Michael Smashes All Lionsgate Records

As of its seventh weekend out in the wild, Michael has chalked up an eye-watering $897.9 million worldwide. Yes, you read that right — a biopic. About Michael Jackson. From Lionsgate. $897.9 million. It made $23.1 million globally this past weekend alone. That number puts it not only above the Catching Fire ($865M) and Breaking Dawn Part 2 ($868.5M) runs, but, against all odds, on the verge of overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody as the top-grossing music biopic of all time.

Freddie Mercury’s last bow stands at a hefty $910.8 million, so Michael is currently lagging by less than $13 million. And yes, unless something truly weird happens, it’s a sure thing this film will end up taking the crown.

Where the Money’s Coming From

• Domestic (US/Canada): $354.3 million so far. That’s after a $7.7 million haul on its seventh weekend (down 35% — not bad for this stage).
• International: $543.7 million overall, counting everything outside the US and Canada. That includes $533.8 million from Universal territories alone — Lionsgate and Universal are splitting the international rollout. In what’s probably the film’s best stat, it’s already outpaced Bohemian Rhapsody in matching foreign markets.
• Production Budget: Reports peg it at around $200 million, with Lionsgate, Universal, and the Jackson estate all getting their wallets out for this one.

Still to Come: Japan and Digital

And it’s not finished yet. Japan, which is always a major x-factor for music films of this scale, hasn’t even opened the doors yet — that happens next weekend. Expect those numbers to jump, and yes, the unspoken hope is that this will tip it over the elusive billion mark, which (to be blunt) used to be unthinkable for a music biopic.

For anyone who’d rather not go out, there’s a digital release planned for 9 June, but given it’s still raking in cash across 83 territories, the cinema run won’t be winding down just yet.

Who’s in It?

Here’s the casting oddity that turned a few heads early on: Michael is played by Jaafar Jackson, the real Michael Jackson’s actual nephew. That’s either inspired or potentially awkward, but the box office doesn’t seem to mind. Elsewhere, Colman Domingo gets the truly unenviable job of playing Joseph Jackson, and Nia Long is Katherine Jackson. Antoine Fuqua (who made Training Day and The Equalizer) directs — probably the only person in this line-up with no family ties.

One for the Record Books

Just to spell it out: in opening weekend, Michael took $97.2 million domestically — that’s the biggest-ever debut for any music biopic, topping everyone from Queen to Elton to N.W.A.

At this point, the film’s continued international stamina is what’s keeping it ahead — and if it clears Bohemian Rhapsody in the next few weeks (which looks all but certain, especially after Japan fires up), it will take the title of highest-grossing music biopic in history.

'Michael is currently playing in cinemas worldwide and hits digital on June 9, 2026.'