Michael becomes the 2nd highest-grossing music biopic ever with $621.9 million worldwide

The second highest-grossing music biopic ever

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has now crossed $621.9 million in worldwide box office since its release on April 24, making it the second highest-grossing music biopic of all time, according to Billboard. The film sits behind only Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury story that holds the all-time record with $910.8 million globally.

The gap between the two films currently stands at $288.9 million, a distance that looks increasingly difficult to close. Michael grossed $44.5 million in its most recent week, and while the pace is solid, Billboard suggests Bohemian Rhapsody's position at the top appears secure.

The numbers behind the run

International markets are doing a lot of the heavy lifting. According to figures from Box Office Mojo cited by Billboard, 57.6% of Michael's worldwide total comes from outside the U.S. and Canada, with the domestic market accounting for the remaining 42.4%.

For fans tracking the broader history of Michael Jackson's chart dominance, the film's commercial momentum carries a certain symmetry. The Jackson 5 landed their first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "I Want You Back" back in 1970.

A producer with a rare double

One detail worth noting: Graham King co-produced Michael alongside longtime Jackson associates John Branca and John McClain. King also co-produced Bohemian Rhapsody, meaning the same producer sits behind both of the top two grossing music biopics ever made. He also has a third entry on the list, Jersey Boys, the story of the Four Seasons.

Whether Michael can sustain enough momentum to threaten the all-time record remains to be seen, but a second-place finish in this particular ranking is already a significant commercial achievement for a project that carried no small amount of scrutiny heading into its release.