Lionsgate and Starz have officially announced that director Antoine Fuqua’s musical biopic Michael will begin streaming exclusively on the Starz platform on August 10, 2026. The subscription streaming debut follows an extraordinary theatrical run that saw the feature cross $1 billion in global box office revenue, establishing it as the highest-grossing music biopic in cinematic history and the largest theatrical earner in Lionsgate’s studio history.
Written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan and produced by Graham King, the narrative chronicles Michael Jackson’s rise to international stardom, tracking his career from his early childhood performances with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s through his solo global success on the “Bad” tour in the late 1980s.
The film marks the feature acting debut of Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of the late pop icon, who portrays his uncle during his adult career. Child actor Juliano Valdi also makes his film debut playing the younger iteration of Jackson.
The biographical drama features an extensive ensemble cast representing key figures throughout Jackson’s life and career. Colman Domingo and Nia Long star as family patriarchs Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller portrays entertainment attorney and executor John Branca, while Laura Harrier plays Motown executive Suzanne de Passe. Kat Graham appears as Diana Ross, alongside Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy. Jackson’s siblings are portrayed by Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine), Tre’ Horton (Marlon), Rhyan Hill (Tito), Joseph David-Jones (Jackie), and Jessica Sula (La Toya).
Development on the project was first announced by Lionsgate in February 2022. Fuqua and Jaafar Jackson were officially brought onto the production in early 2023. Following its initial theatrical release on April 24, 2026, the film set an opening-weekend record for a music biopic by earning $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide before crossing the billion-dollar milestone.
Subscribers will be able to access Michael on the Starz app and on-demand platforms, alongside a same-day broadcast on the Starz linear cable channel, starting August 10.
