Michael Tops Bohemian Rhapsody as Top Music Biopic in North America

The Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" has surpassed "Bohemian Rhapsody" to become the highest-grossing music biopic in North American history, reaching approximately $240 million domestically through its third weekend in theaters. Released on April 24, 2026, the Lionsgate film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan has demonstrated exceptional staying power since its record-shattering $97.2 million opening weekend, the largest ever for a biographical film.

The movie, starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, chronicles the singer's rise from Jackson 5 prodigy through the "Thriller" and "Bad" eras into the late 1980s. Coproduced by the Jackson estate representatives John Branca and John McClain, along with Graham King, it features a supporting cast including Nia Long, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo. With a production budget of around $155 million, the film has already exceeded typical profitability thresholds, which industry estimates place at two to 2.5 times the budget after accounting for theater shares and marketing costs.

Despite mixed-to-negative critical reviews, audience enthusiasm has driven steady performance. The film dropped 44 percent in its second weekend...