Michael sets streaming release date on Starz Aug. 10
8216michael8217 sets streaming release: Michael, the Michael Jackson musical biopic, arrives on Starz on Aug. 10 after a theatrical run that topped $1 billion worldwide. Antoine Fuqua's film, starring nephew Jaafar Jackson, lands months after its April 24 debut as one of 2026's biggest hits.
Key Takeaways
- "Michael" begins streaming on Starz on Aug. 10 after grossing more than $1 billion worldwide.
- Antoine Fuqua directed from a John Logan screenplay, with Jaafar Jackson in the title role.
- The story spans the Jackson 5 era through the late-1980s "Bad" tour.
- Lionsgate has a sequel in active development after strong praise for Jaafar's performance.
When does Michael start streaming on Starz?
According to Variety, the King of Pop biopic will begin streaming on Starz on Aug. 10. Theatrical audiences first saw the film on April 24.
That relatively quick jump from cinemas to a premium streamer keeps momentum for viewers who missed the big-screen window. For more premiere timing coverage, browse our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Why does the billion-dollar box office matter?
"Michael" grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, placing it among the biggest hits of 2026. That scale helps explain why Starz is locking in a clear premiere date rather than a quiet catalog drop.
A billion-dollar theatrical haul also raises the stakes for home viewing. Streaming becomes the next test of whether the film's audience stays engaged beyond opening weekend.
Who stars in the Michael Jackson biopic?
Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's nephew, plays the adult King of Pop in his film debut. Juliano Valdi portrays Jackson as a child, also making a screen debut.
Colman Domingo plays family patriarch Joe Jackson, with Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller appears as entertainment lawyer John Branca, and Laura Harrier as music producer Suzanne de Passe. Kat Graham plays Diana Ross, while Larenz Tate portrays Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Jackson's siblings are played by Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine, Tre' Horton as Marlon, Rhyan Hill as Tito, Joseph David-Jones as Jackie, and Jessica Sula as LaToya.
What does the film cover, and is a sequel coming?
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, "Michael" chronicles Jackson's rise from the Jackson 5 in the 1960s through the "Bad" tour in the late 1980s. Lionsgate first announced the project in February 2022, with Fuqua and Jaafar joining in February 2023.
Variety critic Owen Gleiberman praised Jaafar for nailing Jackson's look, voice, and electrostatic moves, plus the mix of delicacy and steel that defined him. Gleiberman suggested the film could be the first biopic to set up a franchise, and a Lionsgate sequel is now in active development.