Michael Biopic Smashes Box Office Records and Heads Home

A Billion-Dollar Run in Sight

The King of Pop still commands the throne. Lionsgate’s Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, has dominated theaters since its April 19 release. By late July, the film had pulled in a staggering $980 million worldwide - $420 million from domestic screens alone. That figure already topples Bohemian Rhapsody ($910M) as the highest-grossing music biopic in history, a record it officially broke on July 15. International audiences continue to pack screenings, and the $1 billion milestone looks all but certain by mid-August. Not a bad outcome for a project that had to prove a non-Jackson family member could channel the magic. Jaafar did exactly that, earning an 87% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Michael train hasn’t slowed - it’s just switching tracks.

Digital Debut Just In

Yesterday (July 28), Michael arrived on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) via Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu. Rent it for $19.99 or buy it for $24.99 - a solid option for a weekend rewatch or to catch those dance sequences in 4K. Physical media fans can pre-order Blu-ray and 4K UHD copies now at $34.99, with a September 15 release date. That timing feeds directly into awards season chatter. Check out our guide to the best home theater setups for this biopic if you want the Thriller sequence to hit as hard as it did on the big screen.

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Awards Season Buzz and Behind-the-Scenes Updates

Early Oscar Frontrunner

The 2027 Academy Awards remain eight months out, but Michael already dominates the conversation. Lionsgate has submitted the film for consideration, and early predictors target Best Picture, Best Actor for Jaafar Jackson, and Best Director for Antoine Fuqua. Music biopics rarely crack the top categories - Bohemian Rhapsody did it with mixed reviews. Michael carries both critical praise and audience heat. The 87% Rotten Tomatoes audience score reflects strong word-of-mouth, and if Jaafar misses a nomination, expect a backlash. Read our full Oscar predictions for 2027 to see how Michael compares to the competition.

Other “Michael”s in the Spotlight

The pop-culture universe has a thing for Michaels right now. Michael B. Jordan will direct and star in Creed IV, confirmed for Thanksgiving 2027 - he’s already filming a Thomas Crown Affair remake, so his schedule stays packed. Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice still lingers in theaters with a huge $1.24 billion global gross since 2024. And Michael Mann just announced that Heat 2 will begin principal photography in January 2027, with Adam Driver and Austin Butler playing younger versions of those iconic characters. Check out our deep dive on Heat 2 casting rumors. Still, Michael the biopic generates the most awards buzz - a feat in a year crowded with high-profile releases.

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Streaming and Documentary Deep Dive

The Making of Michael Still Charting

You might think a three-hour theatrical cut would satisfy fans. Not quite. Netflix’s documentary miniseries The Making of Michael, which follows the biopic’s production and Jaafar Jackson’s transformation into the King of Pop, remains in the US Top 10. For the week of July 20 - 26, it held #7. The series offers an inside look at grueling dance rehearsals, prosthetics work, and the emotional weight of portraying an icon. It’s essentially a second movie - and for fans hungry for more Michael, it’s essential viewing. Netflix’s official page for the miniseries has all episodes streaming now.

What’s Next for the Michael Jackson Franchise

With the biopic’s home release official and strong streaming tailwinds, Lionsgate is reportedly exploring spin-off projects. Insiders whisper about a potential concert film featuring Jaafar’s full performance footage - think This Is It but with a complete narrative arc. There’s also buzz about an extended cut of Michael that would restore deleted scenes, notably a 12-minute sequence from the Dangerous tour rehearsals. Given the film’s approach to $1 billion, the studio would waste an opportunity not to capitalize. Expect official announcements after that magic number falls. Until then, keep streaming The Making of Michael and pre-ordering that 4K disc. The King of Pop isn’t done with us yet - and honestly, we’re happy about that.