The biopic Michael has officially become the highest-grossing music biopic in history, surpassing the 2018 Queen film Bohemian Rhapsody. According to figures confirmed by Lionsgate to Rolling Stone, Michael has grossed $911.9 million globally. The film earned $358 million domestically and $553 million internationally, excluding the most recent weekend’s receipts. In comparison, Bohemian Rhapsody grossed $910 million during its theatrical run. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael depicts the artist’s early years with the Jackson 5 through his 1988 Bad tour. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics and facing backlash for its decision not to address child sexual abuse allegations from Jackson’s later years, the film has been a commercial success. The production was troubled, including a revelation that filmmakers were legally barred from portraying allegations brought by accuser Jordan Chandler. This legal restriction resulted in the entire third act being reshot and delayed the film’s release by nearly a year. The film’s success has triggered a significant surge in interest regarding Jackson’s music catalog. Thriller reached Number Seven on the Billboard 200, and Jackson’s solo work recorded a career-best 137.5 million official on-demand streams during the opening week of April 24-30 in the United States, a 146 percent increase from his previous career high. Also, music from his time with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons saw an upward swing, generating 10.1 million streams in that same week, up 135 percent from the prior week. The commercial performance represents a major victory for the Jackson estate, which navigated the controversial production and legal hurdles to bring the biopic to theaters. While the film achieved blockbuster status, it remains a point of contention due to the specific narrative choices made regarding Jackson’s personal history.