Antoine Fuqua’s blockbuster biopic Michael, which rewrote box office history earlier this year, will begin streaming exclusively on Starz on Aug. 10, the network announced. The release will be paired with a same-day debut on Starz’s linear television channel, giving audiences another chance to see the film after its unprecedented theatrical run.
From box office juggernaut to living room event
The film opened in U.S. cinemas on April 24 and immediately posted staggering returns. On its opening weekend the picture hauled in approximately $97.2 million domestically and about $217 million worldwide — figures that set a new record for a musical biopic's debut weekend. Over the following months, the film continued to attract audiences and ultimately passed the $1 billion mark globally, a milestone that positioned it above previous music‑biopic champs.
The movie’s commercial ascent displaced Bohemian Rhapsody — which had stood at about $911 million — and also surpassed the Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer to become the biggest biographical picture ever released. The success also represented a studio milestone: it became the highest-grossing release in Lionsgate’s history.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Opening weekend (domestic) | $97.2 million |
| Opening weekend (worldwide) | $217 million |
| Global total | $1 billion+ |
Cast, crew and the conversation around the film
Fuqua directed from a script by John Logan, with producer Graham King attached. In a casting choice that drew significant attention, Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson makes his acting debut in the title role, while Juliano Valdi portrays Jackson as a child. Supporting cast members include Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Joe and Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as manager John Branca, Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy.
Critics were divided about the picture, producing a mix of reviews, yet audiences embraced it: the film earned an A‑ CinemaScore and holds a 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That gap between critical reception and moviegoer enthusiasm has reignited debate over the contemporary biopic — how these films balance mythmaking, hagiography and historical scrutiny, and what audiences want from a portrait of a cultural icon.
- Streaming date: Aug. 10 on Starz (and Starz linear channel)
- Director: Antoine Fuqua
- Screenwriter: John Logan; Producer: Graham King
- Lead: Jaafar Jackson (acting debut)
Industry and cultural implications
Beyond the headline numbers, the film’s trajectory matters to multiple stakeholders. For studios and distributors, Michael’s performance underscores that music-centered biopics can still generate massive returns even amid polarized critical response. For talent and casting directors, Jaafar Jackson’s central role offers a case study in how family legacy and likeness factor into both marketing and audience interest.
For streaming platforms, the film’s move to Starz shows how premium cable and streaming services continue to court subscriber attention with high-profile theatrical windows. A same-day linear premiere alongside streaming access suggests the network is aiming to reach both traditional viewers and cord-cutters, expanding the film’s post-theatrical life and potential revenue streams.
As Michael arrives on home screens in August, its continued cultural footprint will be worth watching: whether audiences revisit the film with the same ardor that filled theaters, and how the conversation about the modern biopic evolves in response to both its commercial success and critical debate.
— Rafael Ortega, Entertainment reporter, NEXO RADAR
