Micheal Jackson’s “Michael” biopic trailer breaks record with 116M views
Image credits: Getty Images
The King of Pop’s story still pulls a crowd, and today’s artists can learn a lot from it.
“Michael” breaks trailer record
The teaser trailer for Michael, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, has smashed records with 116.2 million views in its first 24 hours. It’s officially the most watched music biopic trailer ever and the biggest trailer in Lionsgate history, according to analytics firm WaveMetrix.
Its record-breaking views pushed it past the previous records held by Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (96.1 million) and Bob Marley: One Love (60.1 million). But the momentum didn’t stop there. Off the back of the trailer’s release, Jackson’s Thriller charted high on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of 15 November. That gave MJ another record for having a Top 10 hit in six different decades, as Billboard reports.
A little info about the film
The film is scheduled to be released on 24 April 2026, and will dive into the legacy of one of music’s most influential figures ever. It’s produced by Graham King, the director behind the award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, and stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role after a two-year casting process.
Biopics are everywhere, but do they still hit?
Music biopics are being released in abundance as of late. Recent names include Bruce Springsteen, Amy Winehouse, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Elton John. The industry clearly sees value in them, but even the biggest names don’t guarantee success. Just look at the recent Springsteen film, which The Guardian labels a ‘flop’. Add in Michael Jackson’s well-documented controversies, and it raises questions about how Michael will land with audiences.
Still, entertainment experts don’t expect this to impact the film’s success. As Dan Green, Professor of Entertainment at Carnegie Mellon University, put it:
“I would not want to bet against people’s love of Michael Jackson… I think there’s going to be a lot of interest around and I would expect it to do really well.”
Recent history backs him up too.
Michael’s undeniable legacy
MJ’s cultural reach hasn’t faded. In fact, he continues to generate serious revenue. He recently topped Forbes’ 2025 list of highest-earning dead musicians, thanks to several major successes:
- This Is It, his 2009 concert-film, grossed $267 million at the box office.
- The MJ-inspired 2012 Cirque du Soleil show earned $160 million, becoming that year’s most successful concert and earning MJ’s estate more than any living musician.
- MJ: The Musical has pulled in roughly $300 million in ticket sales across global productions since its Broadway show debut in 2022.
A blueprint for today’s artists
There’s also a lesson here for the artists of today. While there is clear financial benefit to gain from releasing a biopic, this often isn’t their main aim. Jeff Jampol, a rock estate manager and consultant to the Jackson estate, explained to The Guardian that they’re a way to boost an artist’s legacy.
A biopic film allows an artist’s story to be retold to new generations. That helps carry the artist’s legacy, while reintroducing their music, to a whole new audience.
For today’s artists, there’s a wider lesson: the more ways you tell your story, the more ways people can connect with you. By releasing video content, behind-the-scenes footage, and documentary-style projects, you can reach new audiences. That way, new fans can connect to you and your story, and hopefully grow your fanbase as a result.
That’s what could help create your very own legacy today.
Final thoughts
Whether Michael becomes a critical success or sparks fresh discussions around his controversies is still up in the air. History is telling though and so far, one thing is clear: Michael Jackson’s influence hasn’t gone anywhere.
For the industry, the film’s record-breaking start is a reminder of how powerful visual content can be to tell stories. That applies for both icons of the past, but artists building their legacy right now.