*A billion-dollar movie is doing more than filling theater seats. It’s also sending listeners back to one of the most celebrated music catalogs in history.
Sony Group’s latest earnings report shows that the success of “Michael” extended well beyond the box office, helping drive a sharp increase in music revenue as audiences revisited Michael Jackson’s classic recordings after seeing the film.
For the quarter ending June 30, Sony Music Entertainment generated 557.9 billion yen, or about $3.5 billion, in sales, MJ Vibe reports. The division recorded a 22% increase from the same quarter last year, with Jackson’s catalog emerging as one of the quarter’s biggest winners.
The renewed attention propelled “Thriller” and “Bad” back into Sony Music’s Top 10 best-selling recorded music projects, illustrating how the film has revived demand for albums released decades ago.
Scroll to continue reading
The resurgence comes as “Michael” continues to set new commercial benchmarks. The film has become the highest-grossing biopic ever released, eclipsing both “Oppenheimer” and the previous musical biopic record holder, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Moviegoers outside North America accounted for much of that success, contributing $629.8 million worldwide. Domestic theaters generated another $371.8 million, while Japan added $35.75 million as the country helped push the film beyond the historic milestone.
Director Antoine Fuqua reflected on the achievement, calling it “a deeply humbling moment that celebrates the tireless dedication of our incredible producers, cast, crew and partners.”
“This historic milestone is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to bring us together,” he added.
Producer Graham King echoed that sentiment, saying it has been “truly heartwarming” to watch audiences around the world embrace the film.
Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael Jackson in the biopic, which follows the entertainer’s rise through 1988. The cast also includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller and Mike Myers. With the film now holding the all-time biopic box office record, Lionsgate is reportedly exploring a sequel that would tell the next chapter of Jackson’s life.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Michael Jackson Biopic Hits $1 Billion at Global Box Office
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
Leave a Reply