• Record-Breaking Financial Quarter: Lionsgate posted a 48 percent jump in overall first-quarter revenue to $776.6 million, comfortably exceeding Wall Street projections of $693.1 million.
• History-Making Box Office: Antoine Fuqua’s Michael biopic has officially earned over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing biopic in history and Lionsgate’s top-grossing theatrical release of all time.
• Profitability Turnaround: The studio’s motion picture division generated $105 million in segment profit—the strongest Q1 result in company history—while narrowing its overall net loss to $28.8 million (down from $109 million a year earlier).
• Sequel Window Confirmed: Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson confirmed that production on Michael Part 2 is targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, eyeing a release window between late 2027 and early 2028.

Lionsgate delivered a blowout first-quarter earnings report, powered almost entirely by the unprecedented global theatrical run of Michael. According to financial figures first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the studio saw overall revenues surge 48 percent to $776.6 million, easily outpacing Wall Street forecasts of $693.1 million.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed internationally via Universal, Michael has brought in over $1 billion to date. The performance marks the highest-grossing biopic in cinema history and establishes a new all-time box office ceiling for Lionsgate. The theatrical success boosted Motion Picture Group segment profit to a record $105 million for the quarter, further aided by strong ancillary performance from thriller release The Housemaid.

RELATED: Michael (2026) | Cast, Streaming & Reviews

Sequel Timeline and ‘Michael Part 2’ Details

During an after-market call with financial analysts, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson outlined early production targets for the highly anticipated sequel. “While we are not ready to announce everything at the moment, I would tell you that we are targeting a production start towards the end of this year and early next, and think that somewhere between the end of calendar 27 and the first half of calendar 28 would be a current thought of roughly where the movie could go,” said Fogelson.

Lionsgate currently envisions releasing Michael Part 2 between late calendar year 2027 and the first half of 2028. Fogelson noted that select dance sequences filmed during the original production will be incorporated into the second chapter, though creative teams remain focused on scaling the sequel appropriately.

”The heart of MICHAEL is Jaafar Jackson. With no prior acting experience and 2 years of preparing for the role, he delivers one of the most extraordinary debut performances ever witnessed,” writes Decked Out VP Andrew Greene. “Only a real Jackson can play a Jackson, and Jaafar proves that in every scene. It’s been said before, but bears repeating, he doesn’t just imitate his Uncle Michael, he becomes Michael Jackson. He is absolutely sensational, a revelation who depicts the beautifully special, vulnerable, and mega‑talented character of Michael Jackson perfectly.”

Featured Photo: Lionsgate

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