In a major update for fans of the King of Pop, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures have announced that their highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, is officially moving its global theatrical release to Friday, April 24, 2026.

This date shift marks the third time the film’s premiere has been rescheduled, following initial dates set for April 18, 2025, and then October 3 of the same year.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Oscar-winner Graham King, Michael promises a sweeping look at the iconic performer’s life, with Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the legendary role.

The film will also debut on IMAX screens, aiming to deliver an immersive cinematic experience to audiences worldwide.

The delay has been attributed to two primary reasons. First, the original cut of the movie reportedly ran over three and a half hours, necessitating edits for pacing and audience engagement. More notably, controversy arose around the inclusion of Jordan Chandler, the 13-year-old who accused Jackson of molestation in the 1990s—a case that Jackson settled for $20 million without admitting guilt.

Although the screenplay, penned by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan, was initially developed and shot with Chandler’s character included—following approval by the Jackson estate—later agreements required the filmmakers to remove references to him. This compelled the production team to revisit and revise significant portions of the film post-production.

Despite these challenges, the biopic is positioned to open in a relatively clear box office window. On April 24, no major studio films are currently scheduled, giving Michael a strategic advantage.

It will follow releases such as New Line/Blumhouse’s The Mummy and Amazon MGM Studios’ 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, and precede highly anticipated titles like The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Animal Friends, both slated for early May.

Industry insiders also reveal that a second Michael Jackson movie remains in development, signaling sustained interest in exploring the complex life and legacy of the pop legend from different creative perspectives.

The film’s producer Graham King is no stranger to music biopics; his previous project, Bohemian Rhapsody, chronicling the story of Queen and Freddie Mercury, won four Oscars and grossed over $910 million worldwide, setting high expectations for Michael.

Internationally, Kino Films will handle distribution in Japan, while Universal manages all other global territories.

As the release date approaches, anticipation is building for a biopic that aims to capture both the triumphs and controversies of Michael Jackson’s extraordinary life.