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The clock above counts down to Michael, Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson, MJ's nephew, opening April 24, 2026 in Lionsgate's spring awards swing.
Michael is Antoine Fuqua's biographical portrait of Michael Jackson, the most commercially successful solo artist in music history. Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson and Michael's nephew, plays the lead — a casting choice that has been heavily marketed both for the family resemblance and for the singing-and-dancing crossover credibility. The screenplay is by John Logan (Skyfall, Hugo).
Lionsgate is positioning the film as a major spring 2026 release with carryover into the 2027 awards conversation, in the mold of Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and Elvis (2022). The Jackson estate has actively partnered on the project, granting access to Michael Jackson's full music catalog — a significant licensing win that reshaped the production around full-length musical sequences.
The film covers Jackson's life from his childhood with the Jackson 5 through his solo superstardom. Expect full-length musical performances of the catalog, including Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, and Man in the Mirror. The production reportedly shoots through 2025, with significant practical-set recreations of the Bad and Dangerous tour stages.
Michael opens worldwide in theaters on April 24, 2026 from Lionsgate, with IMAX and premium-large-format presentations confirmed in select markets.
For more 2026 biopic and music-driven theatrical events, see the Wuthering Heights countdown for Emerald Fennell's gothic adaptation.
When does Michael release? April 24, 2026. Who plays Michael Jackson? Jaafar Jackson, the singer's real-life nephew. Who directs? Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer). Is the Jackson estate involved? Yes — the estate granted full music-rights access for the production.
