When will new Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ stream?
When will new Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ stream?
The film’s star Jafaar Jackson is getting rave reviews for his performance as the troubled pop star, but when will it stream at home.
Young music listeners today might not be aware of the impact Michael Jackson had not only on the world of music but also on culture at large. Now, fans get to reacquaint themselves with the King of Pop in the new biopic “Michael,” which debuted in theaters on Friday, April 24. We’ll give our educated prediction on when the film will be available to stream at home below!
Key Details:
- Wide gulf: Preview audiences and critics have vastly different opinions of “Michael.”
- Two destinations: STARZ will get the movie first, then it will move to Peacock.
- Slow moonwalk: The movie is likely to take more than 100 days to reach streaming.
The film follows the early life and career of Michael Jackson, one of the most influential artists of all time. It covers Jackson’s early childhood as part of the Jackson 5, his break with his father Joe, and the beginning of his solo career, during which he became a global superstar.
Critics have been less-than-enthused about the movie, which currently sits at 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers are down on the movie for not providing a more nuanced look at Jackson’s life, but 96% of preview audiences say they enjoyed the film. One thing critics and regular viewers agree on, however, is that lead actor Jafaar Jackson steps into the titular role incredibly well.
Watch the trailer for ‘Michael’:
When will ‘Michael’ be available to stream at home?
“Michael” is being distributed by Lionsgate in the United States, which means it will have two eventual streaming homes. STARZ will get the movie first after it leaves theaters, where it will stay for a period of time before moving to the NBCUniversal streaming service Peacock.
How long will that take? Likely more than 100 days. The last blockbuster distributed by Lionsgate was 2025’s “Ballerina,” which didn’t reach STARZ until 111 days after first arriving in theaters. It’s also worth noting that the film is now streaming on HBO Max, not Peacock, so it’s possible that the Pay-2 deal between the streamer and Lionsgate has ended with no word. The terms of such deals are often kept from the public.
Either way, we predict that “Michael” will use a theatrical window similar to “Ballerina.” If the film stays in theaters for 112 days, it will be available to stream on STARZ beginning on Friday, Aug. 14, and then move to Peacock, HBO Max, or another streamer.
STARZ
STARZ offers a subscription video streaming service that gives access to content on the STARZ channel without the need of a cable subscription. With your subscription, you’ll get access to 7,500+ films and episodes, including all of their current originals like “Outlander,” The Serpent Queen,” “BMF,” and “Power.”