The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has become the first biographical film to pass $1 billion at the global box office, setting a new commercial benchmark for the genre. The milestone matters not only because it breaks records previously held by films such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Oppenheimer, but also because it underlines Michael Jackson’s enduring worldwide appeal and the continuing power of cinemas to generate major cultural events. The article also argues that the film’s success has commercial significance beyond ticket sales, particularly for companies connected to Jackson’s music catalogue.

According to Lionsgate, the film reached $1.001 billion worldwide by July 12, with $371.8 million from North America and $629.8 million internationally. It opened on April 24 and reportedly delivered the biggest opening weekend ever for a music biopic, taking $97.2 million domestically and $217 million worldwide. The article says Michael is the first independent-studio release and the first Lionsgate film to cross $1 billion, while also helping lift Jackson’s Spotify monthly listeners to about 105 million from roughly 68 million before release.