NOT another streaming Movie - Michael

I love a weekend where I can catch up on a few films.

Michael was released all the way back in April. So yes I am WAY late to this musical party. For a movie to have lasted at the cinemas for this amount of time is incredible in this day and age!

Michael follows the early life of the American singer Michael Jackson, covering his childhood with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the Bad World Tour in the late 1980s.

Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson and as a child by Juliano Valdi, both in their film debuts. 

Alongside  Jackson, Nia Long, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, & Colman Domingo star.

After delays caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, principal photography took place between January and May 2024. After a clause was discovered in a legal settlement, references to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Michael were removed, the third act was revised, and reshoots took place in June 2025, bringing the total production budget to $155–200 million.

Michael has received generally negative reviews from critics, who praised Jaafar's performance but criticised the story as "sanitised". 

Michael grossed $978.1 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing biographical film, and the second-highest-grossing film of 2026. 

So it is not surprising, a sequel is in development. Also the last seconds of the film gives the audience no resolution. No closure, no ending. It literally ends on a cliffhanger in a large stadium.

So this is another example of critical response vs the box office potential.

Apparently Madonna's biopic has recently faced some issues, meaning future box office success in this genre is at a roadblock. Given Madonna's new record just landed, along with these figures for Michael, I'm sure a Madonna picture will see the light of day eventually. Despite the creative differences the project is currently facing.

Back to the film. No doubt it will be on some streaming service soon, given this lasted three long weekends and months at the cinema.

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 fuelled 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's father is portrayed in really awful light. Also Janet is missing in action. Gosh I would love a Janet feature film!

Either way, this film was fun. I did have to put aside all my thoughts on Michael. The two hours sped by, I will go see the Hollywood style sequel. He was a genius, but also weird AF. I always love the story behind the song, this was exactly that. Just a PG version of Michael's life.

3 Stars.