The recently released cinematic masterpiece about the life of Michael Jackson has surpassed the biographical film about J. Robert Oppenheimer, directed by the acclaimed Christopher Nolan, to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, with a staggering worldwide box office revenue of $977 million (£739 million).
Michael, which was already hailed as the biggest-ever musical biopic, has leapfrogged the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, a biographical drama about the iconic British rock band Queen, to claim the top spot.
However, the film has now also eclipsed Christopher Nolan’s 2023 biographical drama about the American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, which previously held the record for the highest-grossing film based on a real-life figure.
Directed by the renowned filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, Michael delves into the extraordinary life of the late American singer, tracing his journey from being a child star in the family music group The Jackson 5 to becoming the undisputed King of Pop.
The film features Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s real-life nephew, in the titular role, with accomplished actors Colman Domingo and Nia Long portraying his parents.
Upon its release in April, Michael took the global box office by storm, garnering a whopping $217 million in its first week and surpassing previous music biopics, including the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton, which tells the story of the rap group NWA, and the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody.
The film’s unprecedented success has also propelled it to become Lionsgate Studios’ most successful movie to date, outperforming the 2013 science fiction film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Notably, Michael has achieved this feat despite Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer benefiting from the viral “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, which swept the internet in the summer of 2023, with movie audiences flocking to see both the biographical drama Oppenheimer and the film Barbie after a series of memes poking fun at the vastly different films being released on the same day.
The film has undoubtedly resonated with Michael Jackson’s vast and devoted fan base worldwide, offering a meticulous study of his childhood and meticulously recreating his iconic concert performances and music videos.
Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of his uncle has garnered widespread acclaim, with many praising his nuanced and captivating performance.
However, the film has also faced criticism from several quarters, with many reviewers accusing it of being a “whitewash” and presenting a “sanitized” version of the singer’s life and career, particularly in its omission of the sexual abuse allegations against the late singer, which were referenced in some footage that was ultimately scrapped due to a historic non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The Hollywood Reporter noted that the film “delivers for lifelong fans who cherish the music,” but The Telegraph observed that it “refuses to address the elephant in the room,” while The Independent described it as a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab.”
Despite the mixed reviews, the film’s popularity among fans has remained unwavering, with many rating it significantly higher than the critics, according to review aggregator websites such as Rotten Tomatoes.
The film’s financial success can be attributed, in part, to the fact that it is backed by the late superstar’s estate and features his original vocals in the musical numbers, which dominate the film.
Lionsgate is reportedly planning to release at least one more film about Michael Jackson’s life, as stated by the US publication Variety.
The film’s impact has also extended beyond the box office, with a notable surge in people streaming Michael Jackson’s songs, making him the most played artist in the UK on YouTube in the past month, with double the number of plays of his nearest rival, the Canadian star Drake.
His iconic song Billie Jean is currently the most-played song on Spotify worldwide, and he was the most-streamed artist on Spotify in the UK last month, shortly after the film’s release, and remains in third place at present.
Furthermore, The Essential Michael Jackson has reclaimed the top spot on the UK albums chart, fending off competition from the Irish language rap group Kneecap.
Source: BBC
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