The King of Pop is headed to streaming.
“Michael,” the musical biopic that follows Michael Jackson’s career, will begin streaming on Starz on Aug. 10. Released on April 24, “Michael” grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits of 2026. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, “Michael” chronicles Jackson’s rise to fame, covering his involvement in the Jackson 5 band with his brothers in the 1960s to his “Bad” tour in the late 1980s. Jackson is played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, and as a child by Juliano Valdi, both making their film debuts. The film features an ensemble cast featuring Colman Domingo as family patriarch Joe Jackson, Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as entertainment lawyer John Branca and Laura Harrier as music producer Suzanne de Passe. It also includes Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy. Jackson’s siblings are portrayed by Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine, Tre’ Horton as Marlon, Rhyan Hill as Tito, Joseph David-Jones as Jackie and Jessica Sula as LaToya. Lionsgate first announced the film in February 2022, with Fuqua and Jaafar joining the project in February 2023.
Variety critic Owen Gleiberman praised Jaafar’s performance in the film, saying the actor “nails the look, the voice, the electrostatic moves — and, more than that, the mixture of delicacy and steel that made Michael who he was.” Gleiberman added that “Michael” could be the first biopic to set up a franchise, with a sequel from Lionsgate expected to be confirmed.
Starz’s current promo discounts a subscription to $6/month for your first three months. Amazon Prime members, meantime, can get a free trial to Starz here.
