Lionsgate Confirms ‘Michael’ Streaming Release Date on Starz for Fans

‘Michael’ has been rewriting box office records, and now Lionsgate is set to bring the groundbreaking biopic home sooner than expected. After becoming the studio’s highest-grossing film ever, the story of Michael Jackson will soon be available for fans who missed it in theaters.

The film premiered in April and quickly became a cultural sensation, thanks to Jaafar Jackson’s standout performance as his uncle. Since its release, ‘Michael’ has achieved numerous milestones, crossing the billion-dollar mark globally and establishing itself as the highest-grossing music biopic and biographical film of all time.

According to Lionsgate’s latest announcement, ‘Michael’ will start streaming on Starz on August 10, just 110 days after its theatrical debut. The film will also have its television premiere that same day at 7 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, accessible across all Starz apps, streaming, and on-demand platforms.

This timeline represents a notably lengthy theatrical window by modern standards, especially for a film that has already been available for digital rental and purchase on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV since its June 9 premium video on demand release. Lionsgate seems to have strategically extended the film’s exclusivity to maximize box office potential before transitioning to home viewing options.

This strategy has clearly paid off, as evidenced by the impressive numbers. ‘Michael’ opened to $97.2 million domestically and $217 million worldwide, marking the best opening weekend ever for a musical biopic. It eventually surpassed Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ to become the highest-grossing biographical film in history across all genres.

The film also overtook ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’s’ $911 million global total, claiming the title of the highest-grossing music biopic ever made. With a 97 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A-minus CinemaScore, ‘Michael’ has resonated with audiences, despite mixed critical reception throughout its run.

Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal has garnered particular acclaim during the film’s theatrical run. Variety critic Owen Gleiberman praised how the actor captured his uncle’s essence, showcasing both his look and movement while conveying the delicate strength that defined Michael Jackson.

Such praise has set the stage for the franchise’s future. Reports indicate that Lionsgate is actively developing a sequel, with producer Graham King suggesting that any follow-up would likely focus on Jackson’s later creative years and legacy.

Director Antoine Fuqua’s portrayal of the pop icon chronicles his journey from a child star in the Jackson 5 to a solo music powerhouse, culminating in his groundbreaking Bad World Tour in the late 1980s. The film features an ensemble cast, including Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Jackson’s parents, and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca.

With its Starz debut confirmed and box office numbers still climbing, ‘Michael’ is set to remain a significant part of the cultural conversation. For fans eager to experience Jaafar Jackson’s acclaimed performance from home, the countdown to August 10 is officially on.

‘Michael’ begins streaming on Starz on August 10.

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