After years of delays, legal complications, and one of the most anticipated trailers in Hollywood history, the Michael Jackson biopic is finally here. Simply titled Michael, the film opens in cinemas and IMAX across the United States on April 24, 2026, with the rest of the world following shortly after. Here is everything you need to know.
How it started
Development began in November 2019 when producer Graham King secured the rights to produce a film about Michael Jackson. Lionsgate Films officially announced the project in February 2022, with Antoine Fuqua confirmed as director in January 2023. Fuqua, best known for the Oscar-winning Training Day, brings a track record for gripping character-driven drama. The screenplay was written by John Logan, whose credits include Gladiator, The Aviator and two James Bond films.
The casting choice that changed everything
Rather than cast a major or up-and-coming acting star, producers made it a family affair. Jaafar Jackson, the 29-year-old son of Jermaine Jackson and Michael’s real-life nephew, was cast in the lead role in January 2023. Michael’s mother Katherine responded warmly, saying Jaafar embodies her son and that it is wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy. The casting has since been widely praised as one of the film’s greatest strengths.
The supporting cast
The film features a powerhouse supporting cast. Colman Domingo plays controversial family patriarch Joe Jackson, Nia Long portrays matriarch Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller appears as entertainment lawyer John Branca, Kat Graham plays Diana Ross, and Larenz Tate takes on the role of Motown founder Berry Gordy.
A troubled road to cinemas
The film suffered multiple delays. Originally planned for Spring 2025, it was pushed to October 2025 and then again to April 2026 due to its lengthy runtime of over three and a half hours and significant reshoots. The reshoots were partly triggered by legal issues around the depiction of Jordan Chandler, who alleged sexual abuse by Jackson in 1993. The third act was reworked, and the budget reportedly grew to $200 million.
The trailer that broke records
When Lionsgate released the teaser trailer in November 2025, it was viewed 30 million times in its first six hours and 116.2 million times within 24 hours, surpassing every other Lionsgate film and breaking the record previously held by Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.
What the story covers
The film follows Jackson from his early childhood years with the Jackson 5 through the height of his solo career, specifically around the albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. It carries a PG-13 rating and runs approximately two hours and seven minutes in its theatrical cut.
Family controversy
Paris Jackson, Michael’s daughter, publicly distanced herself from the project, describing an early script as sugar-coated and inaccurate. She stated she had zero involvement in the production and criticised estate executors over what she called a botched production.
Early reactions
First reactions from the Los Angeles premiere have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics consistently singling out Jaafar Jackson’s performance as electric and Colman Domingo’s portrayal of Joe Jackson as a chilling, monstrous force. Some reviewers noted minor pacing issues and felt the film played it safe given the estate’s involvement, but box office projections are strong, with tracking suggesting a possible record-setting opening weekend for a musical biopic.
