Michael, the 2026 biopic about Michael Jackson, has arrived on digital video-on-demand platforms after becoming one of the year’s biggest box office hits. The film became available to buy or rent on June 9 on services including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, marking the next stage of its release following a strong theatrical run. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the movie stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, as the King of Pop. The film traces Jackson’s journey from a young performer in the Jackson 5 to one of the most influential artists in music history.
The cast also includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller. The production uses live vocals from Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Krue Valdi, blended with Michael Jackson’s original recordings. Janet Jackson does not appear in the film, a notable omission given her role as Michael’s sister and fellow music icon. Prince Jackson, Michael’s eldest son, is credited as an executive producer, while Paris Jackson publicly criticized the project on social media, saying it contained inaccuracies and lies. Bigi Jackson was not involved in the film.
Michael has been a major commercial success, earning more than $888 million worldwide and becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 2026, behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The movie’s performance was especially important because of the Jackson estate’s financial involvement. As an equity partner, the estate stood to gain significantly if the film became a hit, but it also faced risk if the box office fell short. Audience response has been much stronger than critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 97% audience score, while critics gave it 39%.
For viewers who want to watch at home, Michael is now available on digital platforms for purchase at $24.99 or rental at $19.99. Rental customers have 30 days to begin watching and 48 hours to finish once playback starts. The film is also set for a physical media release on July 14, when it will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. Bonus features will include behind-the-scenes featurettes such as The Making of Michael, In the Mirror: Becoming Michael & Joe Time-lapses, and time-lapse segments focused on songs including Billie Jean, Thriller, and Off the Wall.
Looking ahead, Michael is expected to stream first on Starz because Lionsgate’s output agreement gives the platform exclusive first-pay TV and subscription streaming rights to the studio’s 2026 slate. After that window, the film is also expected to become available on Prime Video through Lionsgate’s long-term licensing deal with Amazon. Further streaming details are expected to be announced later.
