After over a month in theaters, “Michael” continues to stun audiences like no other movie of its kind.
Released on April 24, 2026, the “Michael” biopic has become one of the most rewatched and talked about additions to this year’s movie lineup. Having officially passed Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” for the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for a biopic, “Michael” proves that Michael Jackson’s legacy as the King of Pop lives on. The movie is set to continue breaking records; it is well on its way to making $1 billion and becoming the highest-grossing biopic of all time.
2026 has so far been a year of highly successful and anticipated films. Alongside “Michael,” movies like “Project Hail Mary,” “Obsession,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and “Backrooms” have generated massive fanbases. However, “Michael” stands out for the generational story that it tells and the fact that viewers are seeing it up to dozens of times over again. People of all ages simply can’t seem to get enough of it.
“Michael” was directed by Antoine Fuqua with the involvement of the Jackson family, and it tells the story of how Michael Jackson became one of the biggest stars in history. The movie traces Jackson’s life from his beginnings as a member of the Jackson 5 to his “Bad World Tour” in the late 1980s. Playing none other than his uncle, Jaafar Jackson makes his acting debut as Michael Jackson—no easy shoes (or, more accurately, loafers) to fill.
One major reason for the movie’s success is its attention to detail. Not only did the casting directors pick a real Jackson to play Michael, but scenes nearly perfectly recreated iconic moments and performances from Michael’s career. Jonathan Moffett, who was one of Michael Jackson’s original band members, described the film as a “time machine” because of its ability to transport viewers straight into the audience of a King of Pop concert.
The biopic has made hundreds of millions of dollars, but it has also ushered in a new wave of what viewers are calling “Michael mania.” In other words, despite the fact that he has been dead for nearly 17 years, Michael Jackson is now seeing his music topping billboards and competing with the newly released albums of current artists like Drake. According to Billboard, following the film’s release in the week of Apr. 24-30, Michael Jackson’s songs were streamed online a record 137.5 million times.
All of this is in spite of critics’ overwhelmingly negative reviews of the movie. Reviewers criticize the film for its failure to address the more controversial parts of Michael’s life, calling it nothing more than a “filmed playlist in search of a story.” But the sheer amount of popularity surrounding the movie tells a different story. Whether people love it because of the dazzling performances, the timeless music, or the emotional responses it evokes, one thing is clear: “Michael” is a beautiful and record-breaking testament to the timeless legacy of the King of Pop.