Colman Domingo Gets Emotional Announcing ‘Michael’ Just Crossed $1 Billion at the Box Office
Late-night television handed fans another feel-good moment this week, continuing a rollout that has turned Colman Domingo’s guest-hosting stint into one of the summer’s most talked-about television events. Between celebrity reunions and heartfelt tributes, the week has quickly become appointment viewing for anyone following the Michael Jackson biopic’s ongoing success story.
Domingo has used his time behind the desk to spotlight projects close to his heart, and few things are closer than ‘Michael,’ the film that reunited him with his real-life co-star and screen nephew Jaafar Jackson. Their July 20 sit-down carried an extra layer of significance beyond just late-night banter.
During the conversation, Domingo delivered the kind of announcement that stopped the segment in its tracks. He told Jimmy Kimmel Live that the film’s box office success had become a genuinely global story, noting that it was news to most of the world because it was epic news that their film had grossed over one billion dollars at the box office.
That milestone did not come as a total surprise to those tracking the film’s performance closely, but hearing it confirmed on air in real time gave the moment a different kind of weight. Domingo made clear just how proud he was of both Jaafar Jackson and himself for helping carry the film to that number.
‘Michael’ has become one of the defining box office stories of the year, and its billion dollar milestone puts it in rare company for a musical biopic. The film already surpassed the domestic lifetime total of Bohemian Rhapsody months earlier, and it has continued outperforming that comparison across markets including the UK, France, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, ‘Michael’ traces the pop icon’s journey from his childhood days performing with the Jackson 5 through his rise as the undisputed King of Pop. Jaafar Jackson stars in the title role, marking his acting debut in a performance built on a deeply personal connection to the material as Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew.
The film’s road to release was far from smooth, with Lionsgate forced into a costly round of reshoots after the Jackson estate flagged concerns tied to a settlement clause, pushing the movie’s debut back by nearly a year. None of that turbulence appears to have slowed its box office momentum once it finally reached theaters.
Beyond the numbers, ‘Michael’ has continued generating cultural ripple effects well past its theatrical run. The film’s success has helped fuel a resurgence in streams of Michael Jackson’s music catalog, a boost that carries added significance given Sony Music’s major stake in the singer’s rights.
Awards season recognition has followed the film’s commercial success as well. Both Jaafar Jackson and Domingo took home acting honors at the 2026 Astra Midseason Movie Awards, with Jackson winning Best Actor and Domingo claiming Best Supporting Actor for their performances as Michael and Joe Jackson.
That combination of box office dominance and awards buzz has kept ‘Michael’ firmly in the entertainment conversation months after its initial release. Domingo’s on-air announcement only reinforced how much the film’s success has meant to everyone involved, particularly given the personal stakes for Jaafar Jackson stepping into his uncle’s shoes for the first time.
Have you seen Michael yet?
With ‘Michael’ now cementing itself as the highest-grossing biopic in history, the film’s journey from a troubled production to a billion-dollar global phenomenon has become a story in its own right. Domingo’s emotional moment on Kimmel only added another memorable chapter to that ongoing narrative.
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