The box office run of Michael isn't over yet, but fans won't have to head to a theater much longer to watch it. Lionsgate has announced that the blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic will arrive on premium video-on-demand platforms on June 9, giving audiences a chance to watch it from home less than seven weeks after its theatrical debut.
According to Forbes, the digital release comes as Michael continues to post massive numbers worldwide. Since its April 24 opening, the film has earned nearly $850 million globally, making it the second-highest-grossing music biopic ever released. The film has generated more than $340 million domestically and over $500 million internationally, putting it within striking distance of Bohemian Rhapsody, which remains the genre's box-office champion.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson as his famous uncle, chronicling Jackson's rise from his childhood years in the Jackson 5 through the height of the Bad era.
The digital rollout follows weeks of strong audience reactions that have sharply contrasted with the film's critical reception. While some reviewers criticized the movie for avoiding certain controversies in Jackson's life, audiences embraced Fuqua's approach.
The film currently holds an audience score in the high 90s on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the same sentiment expressed by several high-profile supporters.
Among them is Questlove, who recently praised the film for focusing on Jackson's humanity rather than his mythology. After initially approaching the movie with skepticism, Questlove wrote that the filmmakers “captured the SOUL of it all” and “gave him back his humanity.”
Similar themes have emerged from the cast itself. Jaafar Jackson has said he focused on capturing his uncle's “true essence,” while Nia Long recently described Michael as “such a real person” whose warmth stayed with her long before she was cast in the film.
The road to release was anything but simple. Reports of reshoots, legal revisions, and discussions about unused footage followed the production throughout 2025. More recently, cast member Kat Graham revealed that scenes she filmed as Diana Ross were ultimately removed from the final cut due to legal considerations.
Now the film is preparing for its next chapter. In addition to the June 9 digital release, Michael will arrive on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on July 14 with several behind-the-scenes featurettes exploring the making of the film, Jackson's family life at Hayvenhurst, and Jaafar Jackson's transformation into one of music's most iconic figures.
