Michael Jackson's biopic, Michael, has surpassed Elvis to become the second highest-grossing biopic of all time. The film, starring Jaafar Jackson and directed by Antoine Fuqua, has grossed $577 million worldwide since its April 2023 release, with $240.4 million domestically and $336.88 million internationally.

Why this matters

The success of Michael highlights the enduring global appeal of biopics , particularly those centered around iconic musical figures. This trend has been evident since the record-breaking success of Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018, which remains the highest-grossing biopic with $910.8 million worldwide.. The performance of Michael also underscores the resilience of the film industry post-pandemic , as it marks Lionsgate's best debut since the pandemic and the second-biggest opeinng of 2023 after The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Moreover, the film's box office triumph , despite its critical reception (a 35% 'rotten' score on Rotten Tomatoes), suggests a growing disconnect between audience preferences and critical evaluations. This phenomenon is not unique to Michael; other films have also seen significant box office success despite mixed or negative reviews, indicating that audiences are increasingly driven by nostalgia, star power, and the allure of larger-than-life figures .

What we still don't know

While the box office numbers are impressive, several questions remain unanswered. Firstly, the long-term impact of Michael's success on the biopic genre is unclear. Will this trend continue, or is it a temporary surge driven by the unique appeal of Michael Jackson? Secondly, the film's performance in key international markets, beyond France where it topped the charts, is not fully detailed. Lastly, the critical reception and its potential influence on future biopic projects remain a point of debate.. Will sttudios continue to greenlight biopics despite mixed reviews, or will they prioritize critical acclaim over box office success?