Director Chris Nolan’s Oppenheimer was the previous record-holder in terms of movies based on real people with $975 million globally, a remarkable total for R-rated historical drama that’s three hours long.

Michael already ranked as the biggest musical biopic of all time, surpassing 2018’s Queen sensation “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which generated $911 million worldwide.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael chronicles the performer’s journey from the Jackson 5 to his status as the King of Pop. Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s real-life nephew, portrays Michael Jackson in his acting debut, with Colman Domingo and Nia Long as parents, Joe and Katherine. Film critics have complained that “Michael” takes a sanitized look at Jackson’s life because it doesn’t include the child sexual abuse allegations that were leveled against the singer later in his career.

“Michael” omits the most controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, so Lionsgate was able to lean into the film’s criwd-pleasing elements, like recreations of concert performances and music videos.