‘Michael’ is headed to streaming after its billion-dollar box office run
The Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson begins streaming on Starz Aug. 10 following a theatrical run that grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.
The King of Pop’s big-screen story is about to reach living rooms. “Michael,” the sweeping biopic chronicling Michael Jackson’s rise to superstardom, will begin streaming on Starz on Aug. 10, according to Variety.
The move comes after a remarkable theatrical run. Released April 24, the film crossed more than $1 billion worldwide, cementing its place among the biggest hits of 2026 and underscoring the enduring cultural pull of Jackson’s legacy decades after his passing.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film traces Jackson’s journey from his childhood days performing alongside his brothers in the Jackson 5 during the 1960s through the height of his solo stardom on the “Bad” tour in the late 1980s. As Variety detailed, the role is carried by Jackson’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who makes his film debut, with Juliano Valdi portraying the icon as a child.
The project also boasts a stacked ensemble rooted in Black Hollywood talent. Colman Domingo takes on family patriarch Joe Jackson, while Nia Long portrays matriarch Katherine Jackson. Kat Graham appears as Diana Ross and Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy, with Jackson’s siblings rounded out by a cast that includes Jamal R. Henderson, Tre’ Horton, Rhyan Hill, Joseph David-Jones and Jessica Sula. Miles Teller and Laura Harrier fill out key industry roles.
Critical response to Jaafar’s performance has been especially warm. Variety’s own Owen Gleiberman praised the newcomer for capturing “the look, the voice, the electrostatic moves,” along with “the mixture of delicacy and steel that made Michael who he was.” Gleiberman also suggested the film could become the rare biopic to launch a franchise, with a Lionsgate sequel anticipated.
For fans who missed the theatrical experience, or simply want to revisit it, the streaming debut opens the door to a wider audience. Variety noted that Starz is currently running a promotion offering new subscribers a discounted rate, while Amazon Prime members can access a free trial.
With its billion-dollar milestone already secured and a potential sequel on the horizon, the Starz release marks the next chapter for a film that turned one of music’s most iconic lives into a global box office phenomenon.