Michael Jackson Biopic Arrives in Theaters April 24
A new chapter in the legacy of Michael Jackson arrives this Friday, as the biopic “Michael” opens in theaters and IMAX on April 24, 2026.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film takes a deliberate approach to telling the story of one of the most recognizable figures in music history by stripping the name down to its simplest form.
The biopic stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson, in the lead role. The cast also includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca.
Produced with the involvement of the Jackson estate, the film spans Jackson’s rise from his early days with the Jackson 5 through his solo superstardom, with a focus on the 1970s and 1980s. It also addresses key moments in his life, including his recovery from the 1984 pyrotechnics accident.
Why the Film Is Simply Called “Michael”
“We all know Michael Jackson, but the human is in Michael,” Fuqua said during a panel discussion in Berlin, explaining the reasoning behind the title. Unlike other Micheal Jackson films, the choice reflects a shift away from the global icon and toward the person behind the fame.
Fuqua said the goal was to balance spectacle with intimacy. “The superhero, Michael, we know who that is, so we wanted to get you as close as you can to being at a Michael Jackson concert, but also getting to know him in a different way,” he said. “As a human being.”
The film’s release was pushed from 2025 to April 24, 2026, to allow for extensive production work, including reported reshoots funded by the Jackson estate.
Those reshoots, which took place in 2024, were used to adjust the film’s ending and remove certain elements tied to legal restrictions, reflecting the complexities of telling Jackson’s story.
A Closer Look at the Man Behind the Music
Beyond the production details, the film leans into a more personal portrayal of Jackson’s life, focusing not just on the performances that defined his career but also on the moments in between. Cast members have described the project as one that attempts to show both the public figure and the private individual, offering audiences a closer look at the person behind the global fame.
“We’re telling the story through Michael’s eyes,” Nia Long said. “When I watched the film for the first time, I learned things about Michael that I didn’t know. I didn’t know that he meditated and practiced manifestation, and he had a real sense of spirituality. For me, it’s the quiet moments that I identified with as a person, not even as an actor, but just as a human being.”
For longtime fans, the film serves as a return to the music and cultural impact that made Jackson one of the most influential entertainers in history. For newer audiences, it offers an introduction to his story, framed through both his achievements and personal experiences.
Michael is scheduled to open in theaters and IMAX nationwide on April 24, 2026.
