‘Michael’ has just reached a milestone that only 63 other films in all of history have achieved

Until now, it seemed impossible for a musical biopic to break through the 1-billion-dollar barrier. If not even Bohemian Rhapsody managed it before the pandemic, how was it going to happen now, when moviegoing has changed so dramatically? That’s what many of us thought until the Michael Jackson biopic hit theaters in April, proving that, no matter how much we insist otherwise, a “Hee-hee!” still moves mountains.

Smooth winner

Despite its serious production problems (which makes sense, considering the story they were telling), Michael has just crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, a symbolic figure that solidifies the profits it had been making almost from the very first weekend: after all, it cost 200 million dollars, so Lionsgate must be thrilled.

This year, only Super Mario Galaxy (and before long Toy Story 5) has managed to get past the magic number, and although Michael didn’t have it easy, it’s undeniable that it earned it the hard way, with very small week-to-week box office drops and without letting the controversies affect it. What’s more: it achieved its real goal and brought Michael Jackson’s music back to playlists all over the world.

Of course, its second part is all but confirmed, and the only question left is how they’ll handle the accusations against him. Yes, we all know which ones. For now, we know they shot part of that stage of his life but cut it and shelved it so Michael ends on a high note, at his peak. With half of the sequel already shot, its production is basically a given amid flips, screams, and charismatic songs.