The King of Pop is breaking records yet again — this time without even being on screen. The teaser trailer for MICHAEL, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, exploded online with 116.2 million views in just 24 hours, according to analytics firm WaveMetrix.
This makes it the biggest 24-hour trailer launch in Lionsgate history and the most-viewed trailer for any music biopic or concert movie ever. Yes, Michael has once again topped the charts — even in cinema.
With 96.1 million opening-day views, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour previously held the crown for a music-related trailer, followed by Bob Marley: One Love (60.1M), Bohemian Rhapsody (57.6M) and A Complete Unknown, the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic (47.2M). MICHAEL surpassed them all.
The trailer also scored a huge win at Lionsgate internally — pulling in over 30 million global views within six hours, 50% more than John Wick: Chapter 4 achieved in the same period.
“People have been waiting a long time for this,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson said. “I think people are stunned with Jaafar’s performance.”
And fans definitely are — as MICHAEL gives the world its first real look at Jaafar Jackson transforming into his legendary uncle. Early buzz already calls his portrayal “spine-tingling” and “uncannily authentic.”
Fans heading to the cinema will also catch the teaser ahead of Lionsgate’s release Now You See: Now You Don’t next weekend.
The countdown begins — and if the trailer views are any sign, the world is ready to witness Michael Jackson’s story told like never before.