‘Michael’ Retakes Top Spot At Box Office And Approaches Global Record For Biggest Music Biopic

BreakingBusinessBreaking News‘Michael’ Retakes Top Spot At Box Office And Approaches Global Record For Biggest Music BiopicByZachary Folk,Forbes Staff. I cover breaking news.Follow AuthorMay 17, 2026, 01:05pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.ToplineThe Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” returned to the top of the domestic box office rankings four weeks after its debut, according to early numbers reported by the Hollywood trade publications, as the smash hit surpasses a worldwide gross of $700 million and approaches the record for biggest total gross from a music biopic set by “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 2018.“Michael” has now grossed $703 million worldwide, approaching the $911 million record set by “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 2018.FilmMagicKey Facts“Michael” grossed another $26.1 million at North American theaters over the weekend, coming out ahead of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” after the sequel dominated the box office two weeks in a row.The Michael Jackson biopic previously broke records for biggest opening for a music biopic after it grossed about $97.2 million in April.“Michael” has now grossed over $280 million at North American theaters and $703 million worldwide.It remains to be seen if “Michael” can keep getting viewers to theaters to challenge the record for best box office performance by any music biopic—held by the Freddie Mercury-inspired biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” which grossed $911 million worldwide in 2018.“Michael” has yet to open in at least one major market—Japan, where the movie is scheduled to debut in June. if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.contentWindow.document; var script = iframeDoc.createElement('script'); script.src = '//cd.elements.video/player.js?cid=62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; script.setAttribut...