After months of delays and reshoots, director Antoine Fuqua’s long-awaited biographical drama Michael is finally preparing to hit theaters. Lionsgate confirmed the release date for Apr. 24, 2026, and debuted its final trailer this week, putting the spotlight on Jaafar Jackson’s transformation into his late uncle, Michael Jackson, the man known worldwide as the King of Pop.
The trailer delivers re-creations of key moments in Jackson’s career, from his early years with the Jackson 5 to his record-breaking solo era. Scenes include the iconic moonwalk first shown during the 1983 Motown special and the choreography behind Thriller. The film also pays tribute to the studio sessions that defined Jackson’s sound, featuring Kendrick Sampson as legendary producer Quincy Jones and even a brief cameo from Jackson’s pet chimpanzee, Bubbles.
Michael (2026) Final Trailer - Jaafar Jackson
Lionsgate’s marketing rollout has already broken records. The first teaser for Michael dropped last November and pulled 116 million views within 24 hours, the biggest debut ever for the studio. This final trailer takes a deeper dive into Jackson’s personal life as well, showing his strained relationship with his father and manager Joe Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, and his close bond with his mother, Katherine Jackson, portrayed by Nia Long.
Reaction to Jaafar Jackson’s performance has been overwhelmingly positive. In an interview with MovieWeb, Fuqua said the production team was “stunned” by how effortlessly Jaafar embodied his uncle’s voice, mannerisms, and spiritual presence. Fuqua recalled that even during the first screen tests, everyone in the room was moved to tears. “His answers were so poetic in the same way Michael was,” the director said, adding that Jaafar’s dedication and natural sensitivity brought “110 percent” to every scene.
Written by John Logan and directed by Fuqua, Michael will receive a global theatrical and IMAX rollout. International audiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland will have access to limited early screenings beginning Apr. 22. Lionsgate executives say the film could become the studio’s biggest release to date, though box office projections remain uncertain. With fans worldwide eager to relive the legacy of pop culture’s most influential performer, industry analysts are already watching to see whether Michael reaches the billion-dollar mark that defines modern blockbuster success.
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