After dominating the global box office earlier this year, Michael is preparing to reach an even wider audience through streaming. The Michael Jackson biopic, which became one of 2026’s biggest theatrical successes, is set to make its streaming debut on Starz this August. The move gives fans another opportunity to experience the ambitious musical drama that chronicles the extraordinary rise of one of pop music’s most influential performers.
The film’s arrival on streaming follows an impressive theatrical run that saw it cross the $1 billion mark worldwide. Its commercial success has also strengthened conversations about the future of the franchise, with industry observers expecting Lionsgate to expand the story in the coming years.
Michael Arrives On Starz This August
Starz has announced that Michael will begin streaming on August 10, bringing Antoine Fuqua’s acclaimed musical biopic to subscribers after its successful cinema release. The film first premiered in theatres on April 24 and quickly emerged as one of the year’s highest-grossing releases, earning more than $1 billion worldwide.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan, the film traces Michael Jackson’s remarkable journey from his early days performing with the Jackson 5 during the 1960s to his rise as a global superstar and the iconic Bad tour in the late 1980s. Rather than focusing on a single chapter of his life, the story explores the defining moments that shaped his career and transformed him into the King of Pop.
Jaafar Jackson Leads A Star-Studded Cast
One of the film’s biggest talking points has been the casting of Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the title role. Making his feature film debut, Jaafar portrays the adult version of the music legend, while Juliano Valdi plays Michael during his childhood years. The performances have attracted considerable attention, particularly because of Jaafar’s striking resemblance to his late uncle in both appearance and stage presence.
The supporting cast features several well-known names from Hollywood. Colman Domingo portrays Joe Jackson, while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller appears as longtime entertainment lawyer John Branca, Laura Harrier takes on the role of music executive Suzanne de Passe, Kat Graham portrays Diana Ross and Larenz Tate plays Motown founder Berry Gordy.
The Jackson family is also represented throughout the film, with Jamal R. Henderson, Tre’ Horton, Rhyan Hill, Joseph David-Jones and Jessica Sula portraying Michael’s siblings as the story follows the family’s early years in the music industry before Michael’s solo superstardom.
Strong Reviews And Franchise Talk Continue
Development on Michael was first announced by Lionsgate in early 2022, with Antoine Fuqua and Jaafar Jackson officially joining the project the following year. Since its release, the film has received praise for its large-scale musical sequences, production values and Jaafar’s commitment to recreating Michael Jackson’s distinctive performance style.
Among the positive reviews, Variety critic Owen Gleiberman praised Jaafar’s portrayal of the music icon, writing that he “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 also suggested that Michael could become the first music biopic to launch a franchise, with industry speculation continuing about a possible sequel from Lionsgate.
The success of recent music biopics has demonstrated audiences’ growing appetite for stories about legendary performers, and Michael has become one of the genre’s biggest commercial achievements. Its combination of chart-topping music, large-scale concert recreations and an emotional look at Jackson’s rise has helped the film stand out among recent musical dramas.
With its streaming debut now confirmed, Michael is expected to find another wave of viewers who may have missed its theatrical run. For longtime Michael Jackson fans and newcomers alike, the Starz release offers another opportunity to revisit the story of one of the most influential entertainers in music history.
