The King of Pop: Michael Jackson’s Legacy in Michael
On April 24, the highly anticipated biographical picture Michael is set to be released worldwide. The movie follows the rise to fame of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, from the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to his dynamic with his brothers and the kickoff of his solo career in the 1970s and 1980s, including albums like Off the Wall and Thriller. Michael’s character is played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who will be making his acting debut with the film. The movie also stars Academy Award-nominated actor Colman Domingo as Michael’s father, Joe Jackson; Miles Teller as John Branca; and Kat Graham as Diana Ross.
The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua, the director of the Equalizer trilogy and Training Day, which won an Oscar for Denzel Washington’s performance. The biopic is also produced by Graham King, who has had previous biopic success with Bohemian Rhapsody, which took home four Oscars.
Michael gives fans of the King of Pop a closer look at his early life, especially the relationship he had with his father. The movie is the most expensive and arguably one of the most ambitious biopics to date, f0llowing successful biopics such as Bohemian Rhapsody, which King worked on as a producer, and Elvis. Michael could shape how future generations interpret Jackson’s legacy as a performer and the legacy he left behind.
The movie already premiered in Berlin on April 10, 2026, and has been received as generally positive, with praise for Jaafar Jackson’s performance as very accurate physically and vocally and for the high-quality musical performances. With the hype already building, fans can expect electric dance moves, precise vocals, and a cinematic spectacle as Jackson’s life comes to the silver screen.
