Long-Delayed New Michael Jackson Movie Sets Major Trailer Record

Michael has set a major trailer record for Lionsgate. After numerous delays, the Michael Jackson biopic is set to be released in theaters on April 24, 2026. Jaafar Jackson, who is the musician’s real-life nephew, plays Michael Jackson in the upcoming film. The cast also includes Juliano Krue Valdi as a young Michael Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as John Branca.

According to data from WaveMetrix, the Michael trailer received 116.2 million views worldwide in the first 24 hours following its release on November 6. This is the most views Lionsgate has ever had for any of their movie trailers in the first 24 hours, and it is also the most-watched trailer ever for any music biopic or concert movie.

Michael surpasses the record previously held by Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, whose trailer amassed 96.1 million views during the 24 hours following its release in 2023. The 2026 biopic also outperformed Bob Marley: One Love (60.1 million in 2023), Bohemian Rhapsody (57.6 million in 2018), and A Complete Unknown (47.2 million views in 2024).

With 30 million global views in its first six hours, Michael also had 50% more trailer traffic than Keanu Reeves’ highly-anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4 had during the same amount of time.

Most of the movies that Michael‘s trailer surpassed in viewership went on to become major box office hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody grossing more than $900 million worldwide and John Wick: Chapter 4 earning $447 million. This bodes well for Michael‘s chances of becoming a high-grossing music biopic following its theatrical release in April.

Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua, who previously helmed Training Day (2001), Shooter (2007), Olympus Has Fallen (2013), and The Equalizer (2014). The script is written by John Logan, whose credits include Gladiator (2000), The Aviator (2004), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Rango (2011), Spectre (2015), and Alien: Covenant (2017). Branca, who Teller is playing in the biopic, is one of the movie’s producers, as is Graham King, who produced Bohemian Rhapsody.

The story traces Jackson’s life from his childhood to his time as the leader of the Jackson Five, and how he became one of the most well-known and influential musical artists of all time. There is exploration of his life on and off the stage and several of his most iconic performances will be highlighted.

The record-breaking Michael trailer can be seen in theaters with Lionsgate’s Now You See: Now You Don’t, which releases on November 14.