Michael

Play trailer

1:00

Michael

PG-13

Now Playing

2h 10m

Biography

Drama

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

288 Reviews

97%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Verified Ratings

MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson's life beyond the music, tracing 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, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Critics Consensus

While Jaafar Jackson's smooth moves bring the King of Pop to uncanny life, this musical biopic mostly plays like a "greatest hits" album that could've benefitted from including liner notes to give actual insight into the icon.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Says

Boosted by stellar performances, most notably Jaafar Jackson’s breakout turn, Michael tops the charts and has fans moonwalking across the globe.

Read Audience Reviews

Dwight Brown

DwightBrownInk.com

9h

2.5/4

You feel his presence, joy and music. Does the footage push biofilm genre boundaries? No.

Go to Full Review

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 6

A hokey, corny, safe, clichéd, sanitized look at Michael Jackson.

Go to Full Review

Coleman Spilde

Salon.com

May 6

“Michael” might be a self-evident, self-sustaining, self-indulgent piece of PR. But layer a catchy tune over all that artifice, and the music is the only thing many people will hear.

Go to Full Review

Harmony Holiday

4Columns

4d

The biopic is an inherently imperious and extractive genre that mostly fails to deliver plots worthy of their subjects. This one leans into that ritual of gaudy shorthand, crisis-proofing itself in advance.

Go to Full Review

John Odette

Pop Culture Leftovers

May 27

Michael is the type of film that markets itself as the latest in the trendy wave of biopics but sidesteps deep introspection for crowd-pleasing sequences. This is not a study, but a celebration.

Go to Full Review

Ruben Peralta Rigaud

Cocalecas

May 26

As a cinematic biography, it leaves a constant sense of emotional distance. The feeling of watching a carefully edited version of a life too complicated to fit within such a controlled celebration. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Scott

50m

Every MJ top songs/shows. Enough not too much family info, Actor portraying Michael excellent,

See more

Lisa

1h

Thought it was done really well. can't wait to see the next one. Jaffar did a great job.

See more

Rebecca B

1h

Fantastic movie. The acting was incredible. The music was all Michael. What an amazingly talented person he was. SO worth seeing.

See more

Jenn R

2h

I was already crying in the first 5 mins. Great acting and great makeup/visuals. I was captivated the whole time.

See more

Erin J

3h

MJ was the greatest of all time!! This movie was fantastic & showed how he overcame the awful torture & abuse his dad put him through. He had the kindest, sweetest heart and loved children and animals so much. And he was insanely talented!!!

See more

Caroine

3h

Incredible movie!!!!!!!!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Antoine Fuqua

Director

Jaafar Jackson

Michael Jackson

Miles Teller

John Branca

Colman Domingo

Joe Jackson

Nia Long

Katherine Jackson

Jayden Harville

Young Jermaine Jackson

Michael: Music Clip - Billie Jean

0:59

View more videos

Elvis

77%

94%

Elvis

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Elvis

A Complete Unknown

82%

95%

A Complete Unknown

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Complete Unknown

Straight Outta Compton

89%

91%

Straight Outta Compton

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Straight Outta Compton

Girl You Know It's True

85%

89%

Girl You Know It's True

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Girl You Know It's True

Dreamin' Wild

90%

65%

Dreamin' Wild

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Dreamin' Wild

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Weekend Box Office: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Wins Battle of the Sequels Against Mortal Kombat II

Weekend Box Office: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Shines With $77 Million Weekend

Audience Says: Michael Is Pure Entertainment for MJ Fans

See 'Michael' on the Big Screen!

0:26

Michael: Featurette - Before the Big Screen

1:47

Michael: Final Trailer

1:00

The Michael Cast Reveal Their Favorite Scenes

1:22

Colman Domingo on Playing Joe Jackson

1:06

Michael: Featurette – A Conversation with Jaafar Jackson

1:50

Jaafar on Getting the Role of Michael Jackson

1:09

Recreating the Thriller Music Video

1:02

Michael: Teaser - Early Access Event

1:15

Antoine Fuqua & the 'Michael' Cast on Familial Bonds and Capturing Michael Jackson's Essence on Film

16:57

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson's life beyond the music, tracing 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, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Director: Antoine Fuqua
Producer: Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Screenwriter: John Logan
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: GK Films
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking|Language|Some Thematic Material)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2026, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $184.2M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)