In November 2025, Lionsgate movies sent fans wild with excitement as they released the trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic set to release in April 2026.
Unveiling the new movie in cinemas across the UK, the Michael movie came out on 24th of April, with many people booking tickets and anticipating the magnificent biopic of the world-winning artist who inspired and won the hearts of many people across the world, Michael Jackson.
Starring Jafaar Jackson playing Michael Jackson, who is Michael’s nephew, Jermaine Jackson’s son, the director Antoine Fuqua knew how to build a talented cast ensemble where the actors and actresses looked exactly like the Jackson family, even the mannerisms created by Jafaar were exactly how Michael was. It was mind-blowing how similar Jafaar played Michael in the biopic.
“Bringing my uncles story to the big screen has been one of the greatest honors of my life. From day one it’s been an experience I’ll carry with me forever. Every single person involved poured their heart into honoring his truth with care and authenticity. I can’t wait for the WORLD to finally see it IN THEATERS THIS FRIDAY!! APRIL 24TH!
BTS shot by my brother @jourdynnjackson“
Jafaar Jackson
Set in 1966 in Gary, Indiana, we see the start of Michael’s and his brothers’ early career with The Jackson 5; Tito Jackson (played by Rhyan Hill and Judah Edwards), Marlon Jackson (Played by Tre Horton), Jermaine Jackson (Played by Jayden Harville and Jamal Henderson), Jackie Jackson (Played by Joseph-David Jones), and we see young Michael played by Juliano Valdi.
Managed by his dad, Joe Jackson (Played by Colman Domingo), the film showcases the torments and struggles Michael faced as an 8-year-old child, singing and working on his vocals and performances every day while going to school, and dealing with the harsh upbringing from his father. While having his best interests at heart, we see the hard relationship Michael and his father had growing up from the start of the Jacksons to embarking on his solo career.
It is insightful to see how the relationship changes between Michael, his father and his mother (played by Nia Long). We see Michael’s dad having a hold over him when he was younger, to Michael rising and taking control of his own destiny and career as he goes solo in 1984.
From Jackson 5 to embarking on his solo career in 1971, when he released his debut album ‘Off The Wall‘, the movie sees the rise of Michael’s music success, from hearing the exquisite vocals from Jafaar Jackson, which sound exactly like Michael on songs such as ‘Beat It‘, ‘Thriller‘, ‘Billie Jean‘ and many more.
While there are remarkable performances from Jafaar Jackson playing Michael, there are also vulnerable moments shown in the movie where we see the moments where the press criticised him, such as when Michael visited the sick children in the hospital in 1988 and saw him in children’s toy stores. While the media believed the pop sensation to be a ‘paedophile’, the biopic makes people realise Michael was just an incredible and inspiring person who just missed a lot of his childhood due to working hard on his singing career and lost out on having a ‘normal’ childhood. Even today, it is surprising that the 2026 Michael movie has received bad reviews, as it is such a sensational and moving movie which Antoine Fuqua produced beautifully. Despite the bad reviews of this incredible movie, the hits and profits made from this biopic convey something different, as it has gained £133m from its opening weekend, making it the biggest-selling biopic since Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ movie in 2018.
Inside the movie, fans expected to see Janet Jackson, one of Michael’s younger sisters. Janet was supposed to be played by Vampire Diaries character, Kat Graham. Speaking on this matter, Kat explains how her scenes unfortunately got cut due to legal matters. Speaking on social media on Thursday, Kat explains: “Ahead of the April 24 release of the Michael Jackson film, I want to share that certain legal considerations affected a few scenes, including the ones I filmed with an incredible cast.”
Despite the criticisms of the movie, we believe here at The InCeleb Jafaar Jackson and Juliano Valdi played Michael Jackson successfully; their acting and mannerisms were identical, and their emotions acted out in the movie through different situations made it more moving and touching, creating a masterpiece throughout the movie.
Why not watch the new Michael Movie now?