In a triumphant trend for Hollywood’s lucrative box office, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has swiftly swung past the billion-dollar threshold, joining the ranks of blockbuster earners after less than a week on the big screen. Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic endeavor, The Odyssey, is hot on its heels, poised to cross that coveted milestone as well. Although 2019 saw a staggering nine films achieve this feat, the pandemic years pared down these box office leviathans to three or four annually. However, 2026 promises a return to form, with at least five films projected to join the billion-dollar club — a peak not seen since the pandemic began. Predating both Nolan and Spidey, the action-packed 2026 film Michael emerged as the first film of the year to shatter this boundary just before its U.S. theatrical curtain call. Already accessible for premium video on demand at home, Michael is set to make a splash on subscription streaming services for the first time.
The acclaimed biopic Michael, fronted by Michael Jackson’s own nephew Jaafar Jackson in a stellar performance as the iconic pop legend, delves into the early narrative arcs of Jackson’s life, culminating around his monumental Bad tour in 1987. Originally, the film intended to extend into the 1990s, tackling Jackson’s controversial moments, including the child abuse allegations that arose in 1993. However, an unforeseen issue highlighted by Variety due to a legal roadblock preventing the depiction of one of Jackson’s accusers led to necessary script revisions, reshoots, and release postponements. Rumor has it that a sequel is in preliminary stages to explore these later chapters of Jackson’s storied life.
In a significant streaming milestone, Michael finds a home on Starz, thanks to an output agreement with Lionsgate, the film’s distributing titan. This opportunity marks the biopic’s entrance into the streaming world, offering audiences a chance to relive Jackson’s awe-inspiring journey without the hefty $25 rental fee. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, renowned for his work on Training Day, the film stands as a tribute not only to Jackson’s musical genius but also to his complex legacy.
When Is Michael Coming to Starz?
The movie will be available on the Starz streaming service on August 10th, 2026.
What Time Does the Michael Jackson Movie Premiere on Starz?
Michael will be available starting at 3:01AM, eastern time, on August 10th — so that’s 12:01AM on the West Coast.
How to Watch Michael on Starz:
Michael will be available to watch on Starz.com and the STARZ app (available to download on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon). For a limited time, STARZ is available for $5.99/month for the first three months or only $2.50/month when you prepay $29.99 for 12 months.
You can also purchase STARZ as an add-on via Philo ($25/month), with the streamer offering a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.
How to Watch Michael on Hulu or Amazon For Free:
Though Michael won’t be streaming directly on Hulu or Amazon at the moment, you can add STARZ to your Amazon or Hulu accounts for an additional $11.99/month. Both platforms offer a seven-day free trial for eligible subscribers (typically if you haven’t already used a free trial of the channel).
STARZ is also available on Sling TV and Fubo (with Fubo offering a free trial).