'MICHAEL' [TRAILER]: The King Takes the Big Screen in The First Full Trailer from Lionsgate/Universal

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

The long-awaited moment is finally here! Lionsgate’s MICHAEL is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with the release of its first full trailer. This film isn’t being framed as just another music biopic either. It’s being positioned as a full cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and the early momentum around this project has already made it feel like a true event.

At its core, MICHAEL promises to go beyond the music, tracing Michael Jackson’s journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five to the visionary artist whose creative ambition drove him to become the biggest entertainer on the planet. It’s a story about greatness but also about the pressure, the pursuit, and the personal reality behind a global icon. With Antoine Fuqua directing and John Logan writing, the film signals a serious dramatic approach even with its musical spectacle.

And that’s what makes today’s trailer drop hit a little harder because for months, fans have been waiting to see how the film would actually look and feel. Could it capture the scale of those legendary performances while still treating the person behind them with depth? Could it balance the stage lights with the quieter moments off-stage? That anticipation has been building, and now Lionsgate is finally letting audiences step into the world of MICHAEL for the first time.

The first full trailer delivers a front-row seat to Jackson as never before, highlighting both his life away from the spotlight and recreations of some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career. The cast is stacked with Jaafar Jackson in the lead, alongside Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, with Miles Teller and Colman Domingo also on board. Produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain, the film looks built to honor the scale of the legacy while still telling a human story underneath it all.

MICHAEL is a Drama/Musical, rated PG-13 for some thematic material, language, and smoking, and it’s set for a U.S. theatrical release on April 24, 2026. If this trailer is the opening statement, then Lionsgate isn’t just teasing a film, they’re launching what looks like the beginning of a big-screen chapter fans have been waiting a long time to experience.