Michael, Antoine Fuqua's biopic of Michael Jackson, has passed $1 billion (£790 million) at the worldwide box office, overtaking Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight on the all-time chart. The milestone is notable given the film's troubled path to release, including a reported overhaul of its third act, controversy over how it portrays its subject, and a mixed critical reception, yet it has proved a major draw with audiences.

The film currently holds just 38% on Rotten Tomatoes' critics' score, with the site's consensus praising star Jaafar Jackson's portrayal while criticising the film for playing like a "greatest hits" package lacking real insight. Audiences have responded far more warmly, however, giving it a 97% score on the same platform. The news comes as Nolan enjoys a career-best global opening for his own new film, The Odyssey, offsetting the demotion of two of his previous hits down the all-time worldwide rankings.