Michael

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Michael

PG-13

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2h 10m

Biography

Drama

Music

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Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

287 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.

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Audience Says

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

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 6

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

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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.

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Cortlyn Kelly

Chicago Reader

May 1

The film is so chopped and screwed that my heart beat fewer times than the number of cuts in a single scene.

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Harmony Holiday

4Columns

6h

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.

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John Odette

Pop Culture Leftovers

2d

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.

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Ruben Peralta Rigaud

Cocalecas

3d

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]

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KATHY

29m

Cant wait for the second part of the movie to come out.

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Jose

1h

loved the movie. so great seeing the greatness

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janet f

1h

Great music and performance by nephew!

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Lindsay

1h

So powerful. I felt myself getting emotionally moved throughout the film. His story needed to be told. My dad and I cant stop talking about it. Jaafars performance was immaculate, he captured the essence of Michael effortlessly. A familys past being told through the familys future. What a tribute. What a work of art.

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Michelle Copeland

2h

This movie was done well! Especially if you grew up then!

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First L

3h

it was great movie I enjoyed ever v bit of it

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Antoine Fuqua

Director

Jaafar Jackson

Michael Jackson

Miles Teller

John Branca

Colman Domingo

Joe Jackson

Nia Long

Katherine Jackson

Jayden Harville

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Michael: Music Clip - Billie Jean

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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

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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)