Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael (2026).
© 2025 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
After becoming one of the biggest box office hits of 2026, Michael is available to watch at home. On June 9, the blockbuster biopic about the King of Pop debuted on digital video-on-demand platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV, ahead of its eventual streaming release.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and penned by John Logan, Michael stars Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the lead role. The 29-year-old actor and singer — whose father is Michael’s older brother, Jermaine Jackson — portrays the legendary performer in a film that follows his rise from a child star in the Jackson 5 to one of the most influential entertainers in music history.
The film incorporates live vocals from both Jaafar and Juliano Krue Valdi, which are mixed with Michael’s original recordings. The ensemble cast features Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller. Janet Jackson, Michael’s sister and fellow music icon, is surprisingly not portrayed in the film.
Jackson’s eldest son, Prince Jackson, is credited as an executive producer on the film. His siblings, Bigi and Paris Jackson, were not involved in the project. Paris has publicly criticized the biopic on social media on multiple occasions. In one post, she wrote that there’s a lot of “inaccuracy” and “full-blown lies.”
Michael has been a box-office smash, earning more than $888 million worldwide. There was considerable pressure for the film to succeed, especially given the Jackson estate’s significant investment in the project. Forbes reported that the estate could have been on the hook for millions if the movie failed to break even. But as an equity partner, it also stood to benefit substantially if Michael became a blockbuster on the level of Bohemian Rhapsody.
The biopic is currently the second-highest-grossing film of 2026, behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which has surpassed $1 billion at the global box office. Audience response has been far more positive than critics’ reviews. Michael holds a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics gave the film a much lower 39% rating.
How To Watch Michael At Home
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael (2026).
© 2025 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
Michael is currently available to stream on video-on-demand platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home. You can purchase the movie for $24.99 or rent the film for $19.99. For rentals, you have 30 days to start watching the video and 48 hours to finish once started.
When Will Michael Be Released On 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray And DVD?
The Jackson 5 in Michael (2026)
© 2025 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
Michael will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on July 14.
Bonus features included with the the digital and physical releases are:
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough: The Making of Michael
- Home Is Where His Heart Is: Behind the Gates of Hayvenhurst
- In the Mirror: Becoming Michael & Joe Time-lapses*
- In the Mirror: “Billie Jean” Time-lapse
- In the Mirror: “Thriller” Zombie Time-lapse
- In the Mirror: “Off the Wall” Time-lapse
- In the Mirror: Joe Jackson Time-lapse
- First Look*
- Becoming Michael*
- Before the Big Screen*
- On the Set of Michael*
- Trailers*
*On 4K UHD and Blu-ray only, not on DVD
When Will Michael Arrive On Starz And Prime Video?
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael (2026).
© 2024 Lionsgate/Universal Pictures UK
Because Michael is a Lionsgate release, the film is expected to make its streaming debut on Starz before becoming available on Prime Video.
In January 2025, Starz renewed its output agreement with Lionsgate, giving the network exclusive first-pay TV and subscription streaming rights to the studio’s 2026 theatrical slate. Starz has said that these titles will arrive “on an accelerated basis closer to their initial theatrical release.”
In recent years, Lionsgate films have typically arrived on Starz about four to five months after their theatrical debuts. For example, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t premiered in theaters in November before reaching Starz in March, while The Long Walk made its streaming debut roughly four months after opening in cinemas.
After its exclusive window on Starz, Michael is also expected to stream on Prime Video through Amazon’s long-term licensing agreement with Lionsgate. Additional streaming details will likely be announced in the coming months.
Check out the official trailer below.
