What Happened to Michael (2026 film)?
The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, premiered theatrically in April 2026 to significant box office success, grossing over $860 million worldwide. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film has been embraced by audiences and is set for a digital streaming release via Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) on June 9, 2026, with a physical media release following in July 2026. A sequel, "Michael 2," is already in active development due to the first film's strong performance.
Quick Answer
The Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," is set to debut on digital streaming via Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. It will be available for purchase at $24.99 and for a 48-hour rental at $19.99 on platforms such as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and YouTube Movies & TV. This follows its successful theatrical run, which began on April 24, 2026, and has seen it gross over $860 million globally. A physical media release (4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD) is scheduled for July 14, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Biopic Development Begins
Producer Graham King secures the rights to produce a film about Michael Jackson, with John Logan attached to write the screenplay.
Lionsgate Announces Film
Lionsgate Films officially announces the Michael Jackson biopic, confirming its title as 'Michael' and its distribution.
Director and Lead Actor Announced
Antoine Fuqua is announced as the director, and Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, is cast in the titular role, marking his film debut.
Principal Photography and Further Casting
Principal photography for 'Michael' takes place, with additional casting announcements including Juliano Valdi as young Michael, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson.
Film Delayed to 2026 and Runtime Adjusted
The film's release is delayed to 2026, and its runtime is set at three and a half hours, following earlier reports of a potential split into two films due to its length.
Reshoots Take Place
Reshoots are conducted, reportedly to revise the third act and remove references to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations, leading to a reported budget increase.
Teaser Trailer Released, Breaks Records
Lionsgate releases the teaser trailer for 'Michael,' which garners 116.2 million views in 24 hours, setting a new record for a musical biopic or concert film trailer.
US Theatrical Release
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is released in US theaters, including IMAX, after premiering in Berlin on April 10 and the UK on April 22.
Lionsgate Announces Sequel in Development
Following the film's strong box office performance, Lionsgate officially announces that a sequel to 'Michael' is in development.
Sequel 'Michael 2' Confirmed with Existing Footage
Lionsgate confirms 'Michael 2' is moving forward, revealing that 25-30% of the sequel's footage has already been shot during the production of the first film.
Film Nears $860 Million Worldwide Box Office
As of today, 'Michael' has grossed approximately $860.7 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2026.
Digital Streaming (PVOD) Release
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' becomes available for purchase and rental on digital streaming platforms via Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) in the US.
Physical Media Release
The film 'Michael' is scheduled for release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD, offering bonus features.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The journey to bring Michael Jackson's life story to the big screen began in November 2019 when producer Graham King secured the rights for a biopic, with John Logan attached to write the screenplay. Lionsgate Films officially announced the project, titled "Michael," in February 2022. The film gained significant traction in January 2023 with the announcement that Antoine Fuqua would direct and Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, would portray the King of Pop, marking his film debut.
Principal photography for "Michael" took place between January and May 2024, though the production faced delays, including those caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Reports in April 2025 suggested the film might be split into two parts due to its extensive runtime, initially rumored to be around four hours. This led to a delay in its release to 2026 and subsequent reshoots in June 2025, which reportedly revised the third act and removed references to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations, a decision that drew both praise and criticism for presenting a potentially 'sanitized' take on Jackson's life.
"Michael" premiered in Berlin on April 10, 2026, followed by a UK release on April 22, 2026, and a wide theatrical release in the US on April 24, 2026. The film quickly became a box office phenomenon, grossing $860.7 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2026 and the third-highest-grossing biographical film of all time. Despite its commercial success, critical reception was mixed, with many praising Jaafar Jackson's performance but criticizing the narrative as overly cautious.
As of June 6, 2026, "Michael" is transitioning to home entertainment. Lionsgate announced that the film will be available for digital streaming via Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) on June 9, 2026, allowing viewers to purchase it for $24.99 or rent it for $19.99 on platforms like Apple TV, Prime Video, and YouTube Movies & TV. A physical media release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD is slated for July 14, 2026. Furthermore, Lionsgate has officially confirmed that a sequel, "Michael 2," is in active development, with 25-30% of the footage already shot during the production of the first film, aiming to explore later periods of Jackson's life and career.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Michael (2026 film) made different choices?