The full trailer for ‘Michael,’ Antoine Fuqua’s much-anticipated biopic about Michael Jackson, has arrived, and it’s designed to do exactly what a trailer should: give audiences a vivid, electric peek at a towering, complicated entertainer. The film is slated for U.S. release on April 24, 2026.

Playing Michael Jackson is Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s nephew), who makes his feature film debut here. The trailer leans into the performance elements fans expect: choreography, vocal moments, and the demands of the stage. The film aims to balance career milestones with glimpses of Jackson’s private life, promising a portrait that covers his discovery with the Jackson 5 through the height of his solo superstardom. 

Behind the camera, the project boasts heavyweight creatives: Fuqua directs from a script by John Logan, and the producers include Graham King alongside estate figures such as John Branca and John McClain. Those names signal the studio’s intention to create a widescreen, epic movie that leans into musical spectacle as much as character drama. 

The supporting cast rounds out into a notable ensemble. Nia Long is on board as Katherine Jackson, Laura Harrier appears in the film, and actors including Miles Teller and Colman Domingo (as Joe Jackson) fill key roles. The star-studded lineup mixes drama series veterans with big-screen talent. The trailer highlights moments designed to evoke the period performance energy that made Jackson a global phenomenon. 

Reactions to the trailer have been immediate, with many fans emphasizing Jaafar’s dance work and physical immersion into the role, and outlets noting that the film’s choreography and recreation of signature performances are focal points for viewers deciding whether the film does justice to such an iconic figure. 

As the April 24 release approaches, expect conversations to intensify about how the movie handles both the artistry and the controversy that shadowed Jackson’s life — and how audiences and critics respond to Jaafar’s turn in the spotlight.