The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael”, which tells the story of the life and career of the “King of Pop,” has reached a massive milestone at the global box office. According to international media reports, the film has earned around $977 million worldwide, surpassing “Oppenheimer” to become the highest-grossing biographical film in cinema history.

This is not only a major commercial victory, but also clear proof of Michael Jackson’s lasting power after so many decades. Although he passed away in 2009, the name Michael Jackson still carries extraordinary weight in popular culture. His music, choreography, performance style, and artistic influence continue to inspire millions of people around the world. That is why it is not surprising that a film exploring his life could become a global phenomenon.

“Michael” is directed by Antoine Fuqua, with Jaafar Jackson — Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew — taking on the lead role. The casting of Jaafar became one of the most talked-about aspects of the project. Not only does he share a physical resemblance and natural stage presence that remind audiences of Michael, but he also carries a family connection that gives the performance a deeper sense of authenticity. The film is presented as a journey through the most important years of Michael’s life, from his early discovery as a young talent in The Jackson 5 to his rise as one of the most influential entertainers in the world.

From its first days in theaters, “Michael” showed incredible box office strength. The film reportedly opened with around $217 million globally, including $97 million in North America and $120.4 million from international markets. This performance gave the film the biggest opening ever for a biopic, surpassing other major successes such as “Oppenheimer,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Straight Outta Compton.”

What makes the achievement even more impressive is that “Michael” did not only succeed in the United States. It also performed strongly across many international markets. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film recorded a highly impressive debut, outperforming several previous music biopics. Michael Jackson’s popularity across Europe, Asia, and many other regions proves once again that he was not simply an American music icon, but a global cultural legacy.

Before “Michael,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” was widely seen as the biggest symbol of success for music biopics, earning more than $900 million worldwide. Later, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” became the highest-grossing biopic of all time with around $975 million. The fact that “Michael” has now moved beyond that milestone, even by a small margin, marks a historic moment for the biographical film genre.

The success of “Michael” also shows that Hollywood has found a powerful formula in stories about music legends. Audiences do not go to theaters only to watch a movie; they go to relive memories, hear songs connected to their youth, and discover the human stories behind the spotlight. With Michael Jackson, that emotional connection becomes even stronger. His career is tied to countless moments that became part of entertainment history: the moonwalk, “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Bad,” unforgettable stage performances, and music videos that changed the industry forever.

However, the success of “Michael” has also come with debate. Some critics argue that the film works more as a tribute than as a fully balanced exploration of the complicated controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s life. Because the film reportedly focuses heavily on his career before 1988 and was made with involvement from the Michael Jackson estate, some viewers believe it leans toward protecting the image of its central figure rather than confronting every difficult chapter in detail.

Still, the audience reaction appears to be very different from the critical debate. Many viewers did not come to the theater looking for a cold investigation. They came to experience the talent, music, emotion, and influence of Michael Jackson on the big screen. The recreated performances, choreography, costumes, and atmosphere of his golden eras became some of the biggest highlights of the film. For fans, “Michael” feels like a journey back in time, allowing them to witness again an artist who redefined what it meant to be a global superstar.

The $977 million milestone also opens the door to many future possibilities for the franchise. The success of the first film has already sparked discussions about potential follow-up projects, including the possibility of exploring later chapters in Michael Jackson’s life. If that happens, “Michael” may not remain just a single biopic, but could become the beginning of a larger cinematic story centered on his legacy.

Looking at the bigger picture, the box office victory of “Michael” is a reminder that Michael Jackson remains one of the most powerful names in entertainment history. More than 15 years after his passing, people still sing his songs, imitate his dance moves, discuss his life, and return to theaters to see his story told again.

“Michael” has done more than cross a box office milestone. It has moved beyond the limits of a traditional biographical film and become a cultural event. Whether praised, debated, celebrated, or criticized, the film has proven one thing clearly: Michael Jackson’s legacy has not faded.

One artist. One legend. One name still powerful enough to shake the global box office.