Michael Jackson Biopic (2026): Release Date, Controversy, Sequel Plans and Everything You Need to Know
The Michael Jackson film grossed $217 million in its opening weekend and already has a sequel in the works. Here is everything about the cast, the $50M controversy, streaming date, and when Part 2 is coming.
The numbers are hard to argue with. Michael - the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic about Michael Jackson - opened to $217 million worldwide in its first weekend, making it the biggest opening ever for a biographical or musical film. It is currently the sixth highest-grossing film of 2026.
And yet it has a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is 97%.
That gap tells you everything about what kind of film this is.
Here is every question people are asking about Michael in 2026 - answered.
When did the Michael Jackson film come out?
Michael had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on April 10, 2026. It then opened wide in the UK on April 22 and in the US on April 24, 2026.
The film was released across 83 countries in its opening weekend.
Who plays Michael Jackson in the film?
The lead role of adult Michael Jackson is played by Jaafar Jackson - Michael's real-life nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson. It is his film debut.
Michael as a child is played by Juliano Krue Valdi, also in his first role.
Jaafar's casting was announced in January 2023. His physical resemblance and the fact that he grew up with Michael Jackson in his life made him a compelling choice. Critics largely agree that his performance is the strongest part of the film - even reviewers who gave the film poor scores praised Jaafar specifically.
Who directed Michael?
Antoine Fuqua directed the film. He is best known for Training Day (2001) and the Equalizer franchise. The screenplay was written by John Logan.
The film was produced by Graham King, who secured the rights to Michael Jackson's story in November 2019. It is distributed by Lionsgate in the US and Universal Pictures in the UK.
What is the film about?
Michael covers the first chapter of Michael Jackson's life - from Gary, Indiana in 1966 through to 1984, when Michael declared his independence from his father.
The film follows his childhood as the lead singer of The Jackson Five, his relationship with his controlling and abusive father Joe Jackson, and his rise toward becoming the biggest entertainer in the world.
It does not cover Thriller, Bad, or the later years. It is deliberately a first chapter.
Who else is in the cast?
The supporting cast is strong:
- Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson (Michael's father)
- Nia Long as Katherine Jackson (Michael's mother)
- Miles Teller as John Branca (Michael's entertainment lawyer)
- Mike Myers in an undisclosed role
What is the controversy about?
This is the most-asked question about the film, and the answer is complicated.
The original cut of Michael reportedly included a dramatized depiction of Jordan Chandler - the child who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse in 1993. However, the legal settlement Michael Jackson reached in the 1990s included a clause that guaranteed Chandler would never be dramatized in any film.
The Michael Jackson Estate paid an additional $50 million in reshoots - completed in June 2025 - to remove all references to the 1993 allegations. The third act of the film was significantly reworked.
As a result:
- Antoine Fuqua received an extra $15 million
- Producer Graham King received an additional $10 million
- The total production cost rose to approximately $200 million
The director of Leaving Neverland - the 2019 documentary about abuse allegations - publicly criticized Fuqua for what he called whitewashing. Paris Jackson, Michael's daughter, posted publicly saying the film contains inaccuracies.
The film does not address the abuse allegations. Whether that is a flaw or a reasonable scope decision is the central debate in every review.
Is the film any good?
Depends on who you ask.
Critics (38% on Rotten Tomatoes): The film is technically accomplished but narratively sanitized. It covers the abuse Joe Jackson inflicted on his children in detail, but sidesteps the controversies that defined Michael's adult life. Critics called it a "greatest hits package" that avoids the complexity that would make it great.
Audiences (97% on Rotten Tomatoes): Jaafar Jackson's performance is extraordinary. The concert and performance sequences are electrifying. For fans of the music, it is an emotional and visually spectacular experience.
The most honest summary: it is a very well-made film that chooses celebration over interrogation.
When will Michael be on streaming?
The film is still in theaters as of April 2026. Based on Lionsgate's typical release windows:
- Premium VOD (Prime Video, Apple TV+): Estimated June 2026
- Starz (exclusive streaming): Estimated August-September 2026
- Prime Video (after Starz window): Late 2026 or early 2027
No official dates have been confirmed yet. Check Lionsgate's official channels for announcements.
Will there be a Michael Jackson Part 2?
Yes - almost certainly.
Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson said publicly: "Look, there's at least one more movie." The studio is actively planning to deliver more Michael content.
Producer Graham King has confirmed he wants the sequel to cover:
- The Thriller and Bad albums
- The construction of Neverland Ranch
- Michael's solo artistry at its commercial peak
The problem is the director. Antoine Fuqua is committed to a new Hannibal film with Denzel Washington for Netflix, so he is unlikely to return for Part 2. A new director will need to be found.
Fuqua confirmed there is "absolutely" enough filmed footage for a potential sequel.
Realistic release estimate for Part 2: 2028 at the earliest.
What time period does Part 2 cover?
If the first film ends in 1984, Part 2 would logically start around the Thriller era (1982-1983 at peak) and move through the Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) albums.
Neverland Ranch was built in 1988. The Pepsi commercial incident (1984) and the first abuse allegations (1993) would fall within this window.
Whether the Estate would allow the 1993 allegations to be depicted in a sequel - after paying $50 million to remove them from Part 1 - is the open question that shapes what Part 2 can actually be.
Is Michael available in IMAX?
Yes. The film was released in IMAX format in select theaters worldwide.
From a music production perspective
As a music producer, what strikes me most about Michael is how the film handles the creative process. The sequences showing a young Michael developing his instincts for arrangement, performance, and showmanship are genuinely compelling - and rare in biopics, which usually reduce the "making music" part to a montage.
Jaafar Jackson does not just recreate the moves. He recreates the intention behind them. That is a harder thing to do, and it shows.
The film is not the definitive Michael Jackson story. It is the first third of it, told cleanly, without the full weight of everything that came later. Whether that is the right choice is a legitimate debate.
But as a piece of craft about one of the most gifted performers who ever lived - it is worth watching.
The gap between a 38% critic score and a 97% audience score tells you everything. This is a film that chose its audience and delivered for them.
Quick answers
Is Michael Jackson's estate involved? Yes. The Jackson Estate approved the project and was involved in its production.
How long is the film? Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes.
Is it based on a book? No. The screenplay by John Logan was written directly for the film.
Did Jaafar Jackson sing as Michael Jackson? He performs Michael Jackson songs in the film. Vocal details regarding whether archive recordings were used have not been fully disclosed.
Is it kid-friendly? The film contains depictions of physical abuse by Joe Jackson and other adult themes. It is rated PG-13 in the US.
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