The King of Pop is finally coming to theaters. Lionsgate released the first teaser for “Michael,” its long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic starring MJ’s nephew Jaafar Jackson.
And the first look is a thriller. The brief teaser shows quite a lot, including Jackson prepping for a show at Dodger Stadium, a recreation of the “Thriller” music video, and Jackson in the studio speaking with his producer, who tells him that, “in here, keep those feet still, my man.”
Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo all star in “Michael,” which Lionsgate is releasing in theaters April 24, 2026. Antoine Fuqua is directing “Michael,” which has a script by John Logan and is produced by “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King along with John Branca and John McClain.
IndieWire understands that this first teaser for “Michael” will also be screened ahead of showings of Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” in theaters, which opens next week.
The film was meant to come out as early as this year, but a massive legal snafu involving a big chunk of the movie, which reportedly centered on a child molestation accuser’s lawsuit that the Jackson estate was not allowed to depict on film, forced filmmakers to completely reshoot and retool parts of the film, leading to it to be delayed for months indefinitely. Footage from the movie was even confidently teased at CinemaCon back in 2024 but was completely absent this past spring as the movie underwent its reshoots. That wait is over now, and this film has the chance to be one of the bigger box office smashes of 2026.
Here’s the official synopsis: ‘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.
Watch the first teaser above. And see some other first look images from the film below.
Maven. Photo Credit: Glen WilsonGlen Wilson/Lionsgate
More to come…