Michael (2026)
Discover the making of a king.
The story of Michael Jackson, one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music. His journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 22 April 2026 |
| Genre | Music, Drama |
| Director | Antoine Fuqua |
| Starring | Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo and Nia Long |
| Runtime | 128 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | TMDB users 8.6/10 |
| Budget | $170 million |
Where to watch Michael
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What kind of watch this is
Antoine Fuqua directs this 128-minute drama, which pairs Jaafar Jackson with Colman Domingo and Nia Long. It traces the arc from the Jackson Five lead to the solo artist who chased the title of biggest entertainer in the world. The film cuts between his life off-stage and some of his most iconic early performances. You will see the creative ambition that fueled the relentless pursuit. It is a look at the making of a king.
What the critics said
Rotten Tomatoes sits at 38% across 307 reviews, while Metacritic lands on 39. The consensus calls it a greatest hits album missing liner notes. Owen Gleiberman of Variety found it a "surprisingly effective middle-of-the-road biopic." The audience data tells a different story. CinemaScore gave it an A-, and PostTrak polled a 90% positive score. Critics debated the depth. Some saw a shallow cruise-ship ride; others saw a fan service that works. The divide is wide.
How it did with audiences
A $170 million budget against a $1.0 billion global take is a margin that makes accountants smile and studios sleep. It became the highest-grossing biographical film, a record that likely required a long phone call to the people who made Oppenheimer. TMDB users rate it 8.6 out of 10, a score that suggests the audience enjoyed the spectacle enough to overlook the fact that it is, technically, a musical.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Michael.
Sources
- Michael on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q116677364 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Michael (2026 film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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