Michael Jackson Biopic “Michael” Premieres in Theaters

The biographical film Michael, based on the life of American singer Michael Jackson, was released in theaters and IMAX across the United States on 24/04/2026. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film stars Jaafar Jackson, the late artist’s nephew, portraying Michael Jackson during his adult years. The production traces Jackson’s early career with the Jackson 5 through his rise as a global solo performer during the late 1970s and 1980s. The cast includes Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as entertainment attorney John Branca. The film runs approximately between 127 and 130 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating for thematic material, language, and smoking. Portions of the production were filmed at Neverland Ranch in California, one of the properties closely associated with Jackson’s later life. Upon its release, Michael recorded one of the strongest openings for a biographical film. On its first Friday in the United States, the film grossed approximately $39.9 million, marking the highest opening day for a biopic in domestic box office history. By the end of its first full weekend, global earnings surpassed $82 million. Audience response highlighted Jaafar Jackson’s performance and the film’s musical sequences, while some critics described the narrative as limited in its portrayal of certain aspects of Jackson’s life. The film’s release followed a delay from its originally planned 2025 debut. The postponement was linked to legal and production adjustments, including approximately 22 days of reshoots conducted in June 2025. These revisions were made in part due to legal constraints affecting the depiction of specific individuals connected to past allegations. Reports following the release indicated that Lionsgate may consider a follow-up installment or a second part, based on unused footage from an earlier longer cut of the film.