MICHAEL promises iconic performances and off-stage moments.
The first full trailer for MICHAEL has arrived, teasing a big-screen look at the life, drive and stage presence of Michael Jackson ahead of its April 24, 2026 release in theaters and IMAX.
The footage leans hard into the movie’s core promise: a front-row seat to the artist behind the legend. It flashes early stardom, family pressure, studio precision, and the kind of showmanship that turned performances into global moments.
From what’s shown, the trailer highlights the rise from child prodigy to solo superstar, with recreations of iconic choreography and performance imagery that defined an era. It also suggests the story will spend time off-stage, with personal moments that shaped the public figure people thought they knew. The marketing tagline says it plainly: “His story made history. His story begins.”
Antoine Fuqua aims for a full-scale biopic event
Antoine Fuqua directs the film from a script written by John Logan, with producers Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain steering the project. The movie is positioned as a premium-format release, with an IMAX rollout built for scale — the kind of big-screen presentation that fits an entertainer who made spectacle part of his identity.
Jaafar Jackson leads a stacked cast
Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael, with Juliano Krue Valdi portraying him at a younger age. The supporting cast includes Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo.
The trailer’s main sell is belief — that audiences will forget they’re watching an actor and instead feel like they’re watching Michael in motion, in the studio, and under the pressure of becoming bigger than life.
What the film is about
MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.
Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.
MICHAEL opens in theaters and IMAX on April 24, 2026.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
