The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is officially available to watch at home from Wednesday, 9 June 2026, landing on digital platforms just weeks after becoming one of the three highest-grossing biographical films in cinema history.
The film is now available for purchase at $24.99 and rental at $19.99 across Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google TV, Fandango and YouTube.
As reported by CBR, the biopic reached number one on the Apple TV Store in the United States within a single day of its digital release, with the same chart position recorded in Australia, Canada, Brazil and Germany.
How the Michael Jackson biopic performed at the box office
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the King of Pop’s nephew, in the lead title role, the biopic grossed $890.8 million worldwide against a production budget of $155 million to $200 million, placing it among the three highest-grossing biographical films in cinema history.
The box office performance came despite years of production delays and the controversial nature of its subject matter.
Jackson’s estate actively collaborated on the project, a fact that informed the critical view that the film presented a carefully managed version of its subject’s life and legacy rather than a fully independent portrait.
What critics said about ‘Michael’, and why audiences disagreed
The film holds a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, who acknowledged Jaafar Jackson’s performance but criticised the film’s selective and generic approach to its material.
Audience reactions told a different story, with a 97% verified audience score on the same platform, making it one of the starkest critic-audience divides of 2026.
Beyond the score split, the biopic has reignited conversation about Michael Jackson’s musical catalogue, with his back catalogue re-entering streaming charts in multiple markets following the film’s theatrical release.
Jaafar Jackson’s performance has drawn particular praise from fans who found the portrayal both physically convincing and emotionally grounded.
The film opened in South African cinemas on 24 April 2026, available in IMAX and standard formats at Ster-Kinekor theatres nationwide. The digital release now gives fans who missed the theatrical run a chance to catch it at home, with both purchase and rental options confirmed across all major platforms.
When will ‘Michael’ come to subscription streaming
The digital release window typically runs 30 to 45 days before a film moves to subscription streaming services.
No subscription streaming date has been confirmed for Michael at the time of publishing, but a formal announcement is expected in the coming weeks as the PVOD window closes and the studio moves toward the film’s next distribution phase.
