Credit koimoi
LOS ANGELES — The King of Pop is officially a box office juggernaut once again. Lionsgate’s highly anticipated biopic, Michael, is projected to close its second weekend with a staggering $423.9 million at the global box office, solidifying its place as a cultural and commercial phenomenon.
After shattering records with a $217 million global debut—the biggest ever for a musical biopic—the film has shown remarkable staying power. In just ten days, it has surged past a dozen Hollywood classics and is currently tracking to become the third highest-grossing Hollywood film of 2026.
Breaking Records and Toppling Classics
The film’s meteoric rise hasn’t just impressed analysts; it’s rewriting the history books for the musical genre. By crossing the $400 million mark, Michael has already outgrossed legendary titles such as:
The Sound of Music ($286.2M)
Chicago ($306.8M)
The Greatest Showman ($435M – projected to pass this week)
Currently, the film sits at #4 on the overall 2026 global charts, trailing only The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Pegasus 3, and Project Hail Mary. However, when narrowing the field to Hollywood-produced titles, Michael is nipping at the heels of the top two spots.
Audience vs. Critics: A “Thriller” Divide
While critics have been polarized—giving the film a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes due to its “sanitized” portrayal of Jackson’s complex life—audiences have been nearly unanimous in their praise. With a 97% audience score, fans are flocking to see Jaafar Jackson’s transformative performance as his late uncle.
Industry experts believe the film has a legitimate shot at the $1 billion club if it maintains its current momentum.
“From the beginning, all signals suggested a performance of this magnitude was possible,” said Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “The global appetite for Michael’s story and music remains unparalleled.”
2026 Global Box Office Standings (As of May 3)
Rank Title Worldwide Gross
1 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie $894.2M
2 Pegasus 3 $648.7M
3 Project Hail Mary $638.4M
4 Michael $424.8M
5 Hoppers $376.2M
With a major release in Japan—home to one of Jackson’s largest fanbases—still scheduled for June, the “Michael Mania” at the box office is far from over.
