Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael (2026).
© 2025 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
The long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic is now playing in theaters nationwide, allowing audiences to revisit the life and legacy of the King of Pop. With early box office numbers pointing to a successful theatrical run, many are wondering when Michael will be available to watch at home.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film traces the "story of pop superstar Michael Jackson, from his extraordinary early days in the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuels a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world,” the film’s synopsis reads.
Michael faced numerous challenges ahead of its release. The movie’s third act was supposed to address the 1993 child sex abuse allegations against the singer involving Jordan Chandler and the investigation, but the storyline was scrapped during post-production after it was determined the Jackson estate could not legally depict Chandler or his family. The film had extensive reshoots reportedly costing between $40 million and $50 million, according to the New York Times.
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There is also significant pressure for Michael to perform well at the box office, particularly as the Jackson estate has invested heavily in the film and could face financial losses if it underperforms. As Forbes reported, the estate is a co-investor and “could be on the hook for millions if it doesn’t break even, but as an equity partner is also in position to earn more if Michael turns into a Bohemian-sized blockbuster.”
Michael is off to a strong start so far. The film brought in $12.6 million from Wednesday and Thursday previews, putting it on track to earn more than $70 million domestically, Deadline reported. While its critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes remains a disappointing 40%, a much higher 95% audience score is helping offset the gap.
Here’s what to know about Michael’s streaming timeline, which platforms it is expected to land on and when you’ll likely be able to watch it at home.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael (2026).
© 2025 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, premiered exclusively in theaters on Friday, April 24. Currently, the only way to the musical biographical film is in movie theaters. Check your local cinemas for specific showtimes.
ForbesMichael Jackson’s Estate Spent Millions To Sanitize His New Biopic. Crowds Don’t Seem To Care.By Matt CraigJaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael (2026).
© 2024 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
Michael is distributed by Lionsgate, so the film is expected to stream on Starz and Prime Video at a later date. Starz renewed its output deal with Lionsgate in January 2025, securing exclusive first-pay TV and SVOD rights to the studio’s 2026 theatrical releases. The platform has indicated that these titles will arrive “on an accelerated basis closer to their initial theatrical release.”
Historically, Lionsgate films have taken more than four months, and sometimes closer to five, to debut on Starz. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t arrived on March 14 after premiering in theaters in mid-November, while The Long Walk, which opened last September, didn’t reach Starz until January 2026. Meanwhile, Greenland 2: Migration, which debuted in theaters in January, has yet to receive a streaming release date.
Following its initial run on Starz, Michael will also become available on Prime Video as part of Amazon’s multiyear licensing agreement with Lionsgate. Stay tuned for more details.
The Jackson 5 in Michael (2026)
© 2025 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
Before Michael arrives on Starz and Prime Video, the film is expected to be available to watch at home much sooner. Like most major theatrical releases, it will first debut on premium video-on-demand (VOD) platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home, where viewers can rent or purchase the movie.
Typically, studios roll out digital releases about 45 to 65 days after a film’s theatrical debut. If Michael follows that pattern, it could be available to watch at home by early to mid-June 2026. Stay tuned for more details.
BERLIN, GERMANY - APRIL 11: Juliano Valdi and Jaafar Jackson speak onstage during the “Bringing MICHAEL to the Screen" panel at the "Michael" Global Fan Celebration at Uber Eats Music Hall on April 11, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Getty Images for Universal Pictures
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, in the title role. Juliano Valdi also portrays a younger version of the late musician. In Michael, both Jaafar and Juliano’s live vocals are featured and, at times, intertwined with Michael’s original recordings, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The star-studded cast also includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller. Michael’s sister, Janet Jackson, who rose to fame alongside him in the 1980s, is surprisingly not featured in the film at all.
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Watch the official trailer for Michael below.
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