While we’re still waiting for the official weekend box office figures to be released tomorrow, all indications are that Michael has now surpassed the incredible $1 billion worldwide milestone.
If confirmed, the achievement would cement Michael as not only the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, but also the first film in Lionsgate’s history to reach the coveted billion-dollar mark at the global box office.
For Michael Jackson fans, it is another historic chapter in the King’s legacy. For Lionsgate, however, it represents something even bigger: one of the most remarkable studio comebacks Hollywood has seen in recent years.
Not long ago, Lionsgate was facing an uncertain future. Following several disappointing years at the box office, many industry analysts questioned whether the independent studio could continue competing with Hollywood’s biggest players. Some even suggested that selling or merging with a larger entertainment company was its only realistic option.
Instead, Lionsgate took a gamble.
After several major studios reportedly passed on Antoine Fuqua’s ambitious Michael Jackson biopic, Lionsgate stepped in, partnering with Universal Pictures and Kino Films for international distribution. Despite the challenges surrounding the project, the studio believed in the film—and that confidence has now paid off in spectacular fashion.
According to The New York Times, Michael has become the first billion-dollar film ever owned by an independent studio, a landmark achievement that completely changes the narrative surrounding Lionsgate’s future.
The turnaround is remarkable.
Just two years ago, Lionsgate’s theatrical business was struggling. In 2024, the studio released 17 films that generated only $251 million at the domestic box office, a dramatic decline compared to its glory days when franchises such as The Hunger Games, Twilight, Madea and The Expendables regularly dominated cinemas. The disappointing results led to falling share prices and growing speculation that the company would eventually be acquired.
Instead of retreating, Lionsgate invested in ambitious new projects.
The biggest success, of course, has been Michael. The film has captivated audiences across the globe, becoming the studio’s highest-grossing release ever while shattering the previous record for a music biopic. Throughout its theatrical run, the film has consistently exceeded expectations, attracting both lifelong Michael Jackson fans and general audiences alike.
The success of Michael wasn’t Lionsgate’s only victory. The studio also enjoyed a major hit with The Housemaid, adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, which reportedly earned more than $400 million worldwide from a modest $35 million production budget. Lionsgate has already begun developing sequels for both films, creating two significant new franchises in the same year.
Industry experts believe these successes prove Lionsgate can continue thriving as an independent studio.
Sean Diffley, Head of Media and Entertainment Research at Morgan Stanley, told The New York Times:
“They’ve proven they can operate on a stand-alone basis in an effective manner — that they can still create big hits and find fresh I.P. in a tricky market.”
Looking ahead, Lionsgate is preparing an ambitious slate that includes a new The Hunger Games film, a Rambo prequel, additional John Wick movies, Now You See Me 4, another Saw installment, The Blair Witch Project revival and a sequel to The Passion of the Christ.
Meanwhile, the company’s television division continues to perform strongly, with its vast library of more than 20,000 film and television titles reportedly generating over $1 billion in annual revenue.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson also expressed his confidence in the studio’s future:
“I’m incredibly optimistic about where we’re headed, with every project driven by the distinct creative vision of some of the most talented filmmakers in the industry.”
For Michael, crossing the $1 billion threshold is more than just another box office statistic. It is the culmination of an extraordinary theatrical run that has rewritten the record books and further solidified Michael Jackson’s enduring global appeal nearly two decades after his passing.
As we await the official box office update tomorrow, all signs point to Michael joining one of cinema’s most exclusive clubs, the billion-dollar club, while making history as the first billion-dollar blockbuster ever released by an independent studio.
It is a milestone few predicted, but one that now appears destined to become part of Michael Jackson’s extraordinary legacy.
