The Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," described as the highest-grossing film of its kind in history, has pushed Sony Music sales up 22% year-over-year to $3.5 billion, according to a Sony quarterly report cited by Deadline.
Jackson's albums "Thriller" and "Bad" both entered the top 10 best-selling releases of the quarter, a period that coincided with the film's theatrical run.
Sony's film division had a quieter stretch. Sony Pictures Entertainment revenue fell 13% to $1.98 billion, with the studio releasing only one North American theatrical title during the period, a comedy starring Nate Bargatze. Despite the revenue drop, operating profit rose 21% to $156 million. The company attributed the weaker numbers to fewer theatrical and television releases compared to the prior year, when it put out "28 Years Later" and "Karate Kid: Legends."
Russian music producer Iosif Prigozhin told NSN that Jackson still sounds brilliant and that the film about his life and character connected with every generation, including Gen Z.
