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Michael 2026
Coming-of-age dramaHistorical dramaHistorical musical
Michael is a 2026 biographical motion picture helmed by Antoine Fuqua and scripted by John Logan. The narrative traces the early years of American recording artist Michael Jackson, beginning with his career in the Jackson 5 during the 1960s and concluding with the Bad World Tour in late 1980s. The role of Jackson is played by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, while the young Jackson is portrayed by Juliano Valdi, both making their cinematic debuts in this production. Additional cast members include Nia Long, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo.
Initial development commenced in November 2019, when reports surfaced that Graham King had acquired the rights for a Jackson biopic, with Logan set to pen the script. Lionsgate confirmed the project in February 2022. In January 2023, Fuqua was named as director, and Jaafar was cast as Michael. Further casting occurred between January and April 2024.
Postponed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, principal filming commenced between January and May 2024. Following the discovery of a clause within a legal settlement, references to the 1993 child sexual abuse claims against Michael were eliminated, prompting alterations to the third act and additional reshoots in June 2025, which increased the production budget to $155–200 million.
Michael debuted at the Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin on April 10, 2026, and was issued in the UK by Universal Pictures on April 22 and in the US by Lionsgate on April 24. Critics largely dismissed the film, commending Jaafar's performance while condemning the narrative as "sanitized". It earned $1.029 billion globally, establishing itself as the top-grossing biographical film, the first biopic to achieve $1 billion, the highest-earning Lionsgate release, and the fourth-most successful film of 2026. A follow-up is currently in development.
Trailer
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Cast
- Jaafar JacksonMichael Jackson
- Juliano Valdiyoung Michael
- Colman Domingo[[Joe Jackson
- Nia LongKatherine Scruse-Jackson
- Miles TellerJohn Branca
- KeiLyn Durrel Jones[[Bill Bray
- Laura HarrierSuzanne de Passe
- Joseph David-JonesJackie Jackson
- Nathaniel Logan McIntyreyoung Jackie
- Rhyan HillTito Jackson
- Judah Edwardsyoung Tito
- Jamal R. HendersonJermaine Jackson
- Jayden Harvilleyoung Jermaine
- Tre HortonMarlon Jackson
- Jaylen Lyndon Hunteryoung Marlon
- Jessica SulaLa Toya Jackson
- Mike MyersWalter Yetnikoff
- Kendrick SampsonQuincy Jones
- Larenz TateBerry Gordy
- Liv SymoneGladys Knight
- Deon ColeDon King
- Asia FuquaOla Ray
- Jono PetrieJohn Landis
- Paul HippBob Giraldi
Crew
- Director
- Antoine Fuqua
- Writer
- John Logan
- Producer
- Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
- Cinematography
- Dion Beebe
- Editing
- John Ottman, Harry Yoon, Conrad Buff IV, Tom Cross
Details
- Production
- GK Films, Lionsgate, Optimum Productions
- Distributor
- Lionsgate Films (United States), Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $155–200 million
- Box office
- $1.029 billion
