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Hollywood & Entertainment ‘Michael’ Streaming Strategy Shifts To STARZ After Crossing $1 Billion At Box Office By Tim Lammers ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment. Follow Author Jul 27, 2026, 01:00pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary The Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," starring Jaafar Jackson, has achieved massive global success, surpassing $1 billion at the worldwide box office despite mixed critical reviews. The film, which chronicles Jackson's life from his Gary, Indiana youth through his iconic "Bad" tour, became the highest-grossing music biopic ever. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, it features Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, alongside Colman Domingo and Nia Long as his parents, and Miles Teller as manager John Branca. After its April 24 theatrical release and June 9 PVOD debut, "Michael" is set to premiere on STARZ on Aug. 10, offering viewers another way to experience the record-breaking film. It remains available on digital platforms and in select theaters.
The Michael Jackson biopic Michael , starring Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, is coming soon to streaming video on demand as the film continues its record-breaking run at the worldwide box office.
Jaafar Jackson, who is the nephew of the late pop icon and son of Jermaine Jackson, plays Michael Jackson in his teen and adult years and Juliano Valde plays the 10-year-old version of the singer alongside his brothers in the Jackson Five.
Released in theaters on April 24, Michael shifted to digital streaming via premium video on demand on June 9. The film details Michael Jackson’s life from his youth in Gary, Ind., through his hit solo music career with the multi-platinum albums Off the Wall , Thriller and Bad . The film ends in 1988 as the singer embarks on his solo tour for Bad .
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as Michael Jackson’s longtime manager John Branca.
Despite negative reviews from critics , Michael earned $97.2 million domesticall, and more than $217 million at the worldwide box office in its opening weekend April 24-26. By mid-June, Michael passed the Freddy Mercury and Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody’s record of $911 million to become the highest grossing music biopic of all time; and on July 14, the film crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office.
Rated PG-13, Michael to date has earned $372.3 million domestically and $1.010 billion at the worldwide box office.
STARZ announced on Monday that Michael will be making its SVOD on Monday, Aug. 10, on the STARZ app. In addition, Michael will premiere on STARZ’s cable channel the same day at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
For viewers who don’t subscribe to STARZ, the streaming platform provides ad-free programming for $7.99 per month or $74.99 annually.
For fans who still want to experience Michael on the big screen, the film is still playing in 165 North American theaters. The film is also currently available on PVOD on such digital platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube Movies & TV.
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