The retrospective begins by tracing Michael’s early years as the breakout lead of the Jackson 5 before chronicling his unprecedented rise as a solo artist. Central to the narrative are the landmark albums that fundamentally altered the music industry’s trajectory. The magazine explores the creative process and cultural impact of “Thriller,” “Bad,” and “Dangerous,” documenting how these records shattered sales benchmarks and set new standards for pop production.

Beyond his vocal performances, the issue examines Michael’s wider influence on the arts, specifically his contributions to dance and high fashion. A significant portion of the publication is dedicated to his short films, noting how groundbreaking videos like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” helped redefine the music video as a cinematic art form. These works are presented as the foundation for the visual language that still dominates the entertainment industry today.

The publication also serves as a study of Michael’s enduring legacy. It highlights the numerous records he still holds and the diverse generations of artists who cite him as a primary inspiration. By combining high quality photography with expert analysis, the issue is designed to appeal to both lifelong followers and younger fans who are just beginning to discover his work.

Click here to purchase your copy.

In the featurette, Jaafar, Michael’s nephew, discusses the weight of the role, acknowledging that he knew from the start how challenging it would be to step into his uncle’s shoes. Director Antoine Fuqua reinforces this sentiment, emphasizing that:

“You can’t just go through a Michael Jackson move casually.”

Every step, every gesture, and every detail matters. Producer Graham King adds that there was an initial uncertainty about whether Jaafar could truly pull off such a feat, prompting the young actor to ask for time to prove himself to the filmmakers and his family.

Jaafar’s commitment to the role is evident in his rigorous rehearsal schedule. He describes practicing for hours on end, dancing until his feet were sore or even bleeding, driven by a desire to get every single movement right. He often found himself reflecting on what Michael would do in certain situations, using that as a guiding force during the more grueling moments of production. This dedication extended right up to the start of filming, with Fuqua noting that Jaafar never stopped practicing.

Ultimately, Jaafar expresses his hope that the film will evoke a sense of “magic” for audiences worldwide. With early access tickets now on sale, the film is poised to be a major cinematic event, offering a deep dive into the life and legacy of a man whose influence continues to resonate across generations. As the release date approaches, the excitement surrounding the movie “Michael” continues to grow, fueled by the passion and hard work of everyone involved in bringing this story to the big screen.

Notably, the Bad era is represented by only a single track, the title song, suggesting the film may focus more intensely on Michael’s meteoric rise rather than his later career. This once again all but confirms the movie will be split up into two separate parts.

The album is set to drop the week of April 24th, to be timed with the movie’s theatrical debut. Collectors will have plenty of options, as the soundtrack will be available as a double vinyl album, CD, and for the nostalgic ones out there, cassettes tape. The tracklisting for all formats is:

1. I’ll Be There
2. Never Can Say Goodbye
3. Who’s Lovin’ You
4. Medley: I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save
5. Ben
6. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
7. Beat It
8. Thriller
9. Billie Jean
10. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
11. Human Nature
12. Working Day and Night
13. Bad

You can pre-order your physical copy from today.

The teaser certainly intensifies the anticipation for one of the most awaited cinematic events of 2026. The film, which stars Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, the “King of Pop,” offers a sweeping look at the complex life and unparalleled career of Michael. It is yet unknown the timeline for this movie, and rumors are circulating that it will be released in two parts.

The newly released footage highlights the film’s ambitious scope, tracing Michael’s trajectory from his humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana, to his status as the artist behind the biggest-selling record of all time. A poignant moment in the trailer features a young Michael being told he is “perfect pitch,” foreshadowing the musical phenomenon he would become. Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal appears to capture the essence of Michael’s stage presence, including his iconic dance moves and the soft-spoken vulnerability he was known for offstage.

The trailer emphasizes Michael’s drive for greatness, specifically his goal to launch “the largest concert tour there ever was”. This ambition is set against the backdrop of his deep love for his family and his eventual desire to forge his own path as a solo artist. Visuals in the spot promise a sensory-rich experience, designed to immerse audiences in the music and legacy of the global icon.

Michael is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in April 2026. To ensure the largest possible canvas for Michael’s story, the film will be available in IMAX and other premium large formats. Fans eager to secure their seats for the opening can look forward to early access tickets, which will be going on sale tomorrow.

For Fuqua, Michael’s influence stretches far beyond the realm of music; it was a guiding force in his own trajectory as a filmmaker. He vividly recalls how Michael’s unprecedented international fame demonstrated a “no ceiling” mentality for young Black men at the time.

Translating Michael’s life into a cinematic experience felt like a natural fit for Fuqua, who describes the music icon as “larger than life” even when watched on a television screen. However, rather than simply delivering a highlight reel of spectacular performances, Fuqua’s vision for “Michael” aims to peel back the glittering curtain. The film seeks to explore Michael fundamentally as a human being. It will thoughtfully acknowledge his internal complexities, particularly the enduring struggle between his profound love for his family and his unwavering dedication to his music. Michael’s life, as Fuqua notes, was uniquely dedicated to bringing joy to the world through his voice and unparalleled artistry.

Fuqua describes Michael’s iconic dance moves not just as groundbreaking choreography, but as a dynamic conversation with his audience, a universal language that completely transcended the barriers of color and race. He believes that Michael created music with the genuine intention of changing the world, which is exactly “where the magic lives.”

Ultimately, Fuqua describes his goal for “Michael” being deeply empathetic. When the credits roll, he wants audiences to leave the theater feeling that they finally, truly understand Michael Jackson on a much deeper, more intimately human level.

The footage blends raw behind-the-scenes rehearsal clips with insightful interviews, capturing the gravity of portraying the King of Pop. Despite being no stranger to musical epics after his smash hit “Bohemian Rhapsody,” producer Graham King admitted the weight of the project has only grown over time, saying,

“The challenge of taking on someone like Michael Jackson, it sounded fun. But then the more real it got, the more pressure I felt.”

The heart of the preview however centers around Jaafar Jackson in the titular role. Fuqua recalled being instantly sold on the young performer, stating he “killed it” from the start. Jaafar, who is Michael’s nephew, seems to possess a preternatural connection to the role, describing the opportunity as his “calling.” Fuqua added,

“That’s the magic of Jaafar. He has the desire like Michael to be the best.”

Beyond the interviews, the preview showcases never-before-seen making of footage of the crew meticulously recreating the Bad Tour concerts, along with rehearsing iconic dance routines. The film is all but setup to be a love letter to Michael’s artistry.

Watch the full preview below:

The trailer opens on an intimate note, with Michael psyching himself up in the studio. “You’re confident. You’re strong. You’re the greatest of all time,” can be heard in the voiceover, before the footage erupts into a montage of the singer’s life. The preview spans Michael’s journey from the commanding lead of the Jackson 5 to the global superstar who shattered records with Thriller.

Central to the trailer is the intense family dynamic that fueled Michael’s rise. Colman Domingo delivers a chilling performance as Joe Jackson, the demanding patriarch who pushes his sons to escape a life of labor. “I told you what to think” he says condescending to Michael.

Visually, the trailer dazzles with meticulous recreations of pop culture history. Fans are treated to glimpses of the “Thriller” and “Beat It” music videos, as well as the history making moonwalk at the Motown 25 special. Jaafar Jackson, whose casting has drawn significant attention, appears to capture Michael’s physicality and soft-spoken demeanor with uncanny precision.

Produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) and written by John Logan, Michael promises a definitive, albeit complex, portrait of the man behind the myth.

Michael arrives in theaters and IMAX on April 24, 2026.

The previous poster features him cladded out in the iconic “Beat It” outfit.

The film arrives in theaters and IMAX on April 24

The new poster captures the King of Pop in his absolute prime. Jaafar is featured donning a meticulous recreation of the legendary red leather zipper jacket with silver mesh shoulders, the signature look from the “Beat It” short film. Sporting aviator sunglasses and a shy, charismatic smile, the resemblance between Jaafar and Michael is, as many fans have noted, uncanny. The poster radiates the warmth and superstar aura of Michael’s early 80s dominance, bathed in a golden, hazy light that suggests the nostalgic glow of memory.

The poster’s tagline, “His Story Begins,” has already ignited speculation across social media. While it serves as a promise of an origin story, tracing Michael from the Jackson 5 to global superstardom, some fans theorize it could hint at the rumored multi-part structure of the project, given the sheer scope of his life. It’s also a nice nod to the title of Michael’s 1995 album ‘HIStory.’

After facing production delays that pushed the release from 2025 to 2026, anticipation has reached a fever pitch. This poster signals that the marketing machine is finally revving up, promising a cinematic event that tackles the life of one of the most famous men in history.

“Michael” will moonwalk into theaters and IMAX screens nationwide on April 24, 2026.

The initial 4K AI upscale caused a significant uproar with MJ fans. While the resolution was boosted, the release used a censored version, where key moments of Michael’s “panther dance” sequence, specifically the more sexually charged choreography and the famous zipper scene, had been edited out. At the time, the Estate cited an “erroneously labeled” master tape as the culprit, but fans feared the censorship was a permanent revision of history.

Today’s re-upload puts those fears to rest. The new 4K version fully restores the panther sequence to its raw, unadulterated glory. Michael’s complete choreography, including the zipper is back, preserving the intense energy that made the 1991 premiere a global television event.

Perhaps most significantly, this version aligns with Michael’s original artistic intent regarding the violence in the film. The digitally added racist graffiti on the car windows and store fronts, which was superimposed in later broadcast versions to “justify” Michael’s destruction of property to nervous television networks, has been completely removed. This removes the “contextual apology” that was forced upon the video in the 90s, returning the focus to Michael’s pure, interpretative expression of frustration and power.

While the video remains an AI upscale rather than a native 35mm film scan, the correction of the content is a massive victory for preservationists. By removing the network-mandated censorship and the graffiti overlays, the Estate has finally given fans the version of “Black or White” that Michael Jackson intended the world to see.

Originally released in 1993, “Give In To Me” stands apart from many of Michael’s short films. Instead of a cinematic narrative, the video focuses on raw performance, capturing Michael on stage with his touring band during rehearsals for the Dangerous World Tour. The presence of Slash on lead guitar adds a hard rock edge that visually and sonically reinforces the song’s aggressive, confrontational tone. The video’s fast cuts, dramatic lighting, and close-ups of Michael gives it an unfiltered, almost documentary feel.

As with all these “Dangerous” short film restorations, while AI upscaling cannot recreate lost film detail, it tries to significantly improve perceived sharpness and stability, especially for concert-style footage like this. Some of the end result is sadly still questionable.

So what was its allure? By the mid-1990s, Michael was already widely known for using his platform to address global issues. Songs like “We Are The World,” “Man In The Mirror,” and “Heal The World” had firmly established that intent. “Earth Song” became the fourth socially conscious anthem he released within a decade. Timing also played a crucial role. Released during the Christmas season, a period associated with reflection and generosity, its message resonated deeply. It challenged listeners while inspiring empathy, amplified by one of the most powerful music videos of his career.

Shot across four regions of the world, the video was nominated for a Grammy in 1997 and won multiple international awards. Directed by Nick Brandt, who would go on to collaborate with Michael on four additional short films, it presented stark imagery of animal cruelty, deforestation, pollution, poverty, and war, all reversing in the song’s final, impassioned moments. Animals appear to return to life, forests regrow, and destruction gives way to renewal. The video closed with information on how to donate to Michael’s Heal the World Foundation. Local civilians featured throughout were not actors, and no animals were harmed. Any footage depicting cruelty was sourced from documentary archives, and the video was widely praised by animal welfare organizations for raising awareness.

Originally titled “What About Us,” “Earth Song” was recorded in the early 1990s. A leaked demo later revealed a key difference, with the song’s closing vocals delivered in a high falsetto rather than the raw, anguished tone heard on the 1995 “HIStory” album. The finished version became a defining moment in Michael’s live performances throughout the decade. He performed it at every show on the “HIStory” World Tour from 1996 to 1997, rising above the audience on a cherry picker before dramatically leaning forward, gripping the handlebars as the crowd watched in awe. The performance concluded with a full-scale tank rolling onto the stage, only to be symbolically disarmed by a single flower of peace.

Yet the song also followed Michael in more troubling ways. His 1996 BRIT Awards performance drew controversy after being interrupted by another musician. Later that year in Seoul, a fan climbed onto the cherry picker mid-performance, prompting Michael to hold the fan securely while continuing the song. In 1999, during the “Michael Jackson and Friends” concert in Munich, a bridge he was standing on collapsed, sending him into the press pit below. He finished the performance but was hospitalized afterward, later citing the incident as the beginning of chronic back pain and arthritis.

Three decades on, “Earth Song” holds a singular place in Michael’s legacy. Though never released as a single in the United States, its dominance across Europe and its unforgettable live performances made it one of the defining works of his career. Fittingly, it was the final song Michael rehearsed for the planned “This Is It” concerts. Shortly after midnight on June 25, 2009, the day he died, he rehearsed “Earth Song,” making it the last song he ever performed.

The vinyl release arrives at a moment of renewed excitement around Michael’s body of work. Archival restorations, milestone anniversaries, and momentum surrounding the upcoming biographical film “Michael” have all contributed to a growing appetite for high quality physical formats.

When “Number Ones” originally hit shelves, it launched with four collectible covers that highlighted different iconic poses from Michael’s career. Despite arriving in a turbulent news cycle in late 2003, the album debuted at number one in the UK. Its chart performance reflected both the strength of the material and the loyalty of fans who continued to support him.

The new vinyl edition offers more than a nostalgic trip. Hearing these songs in an analog format gives the production, precision, and emotion a fresh sense of space, reminding listeners why these tracks became some of the most influential in pop history. With hits like “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “Rock With You”, “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”, and “Smooth Criminal” all collected in one place, the set is expected to attract longtime fans and new listeners alike.

“Number Ones” will be released on January 30, 2026. A standard black pressing will be available through major retailers including Amazon. A red vinyl variant will be offered exclusively at Target in the United States and HMV in the United Kingdom.

Directed by David Fincher early in his career, “Who Is It” is often cited as one of Michael’s most visually restrained yet psychologically intense short films. Its dark, urban atmosphere, fragmented editing, and close-up focus on Michael’s performance helped give the video a raw, almost voyeuristic quality.

Unlike traditional remasters created from original film negatives, this version, as per the other “Dangerous” short film restores, relies on AI upscaling to enhance resolution. That process analyzes existing footage and reconstructs detail to approximate a higher-resolution image. The results can be mixed, and the smoothing of this render is particularly noticeable, for better or for worse. We hope one day to get true 4K restorations of Michael’s amazing legacy of work, much like The Estate has done with “Thriller” and “Beat It.”

The figure features the iconic red jacket, complete with the intricate detailing that defined the Beat It style. His black pants, white socks, and signature curls are all recreated with the familiar Funko charm that fans expect. The pose evokes the confident attitude of the original short film, which first premiered in 1983 and helped cement the Thriller era as a cultural turning point.

Beat It remains a landmark in music video history, known for its powerful anti violence message and its groundbreaking blend of narrative storytelling and dance. The short film earned heavy rotation on MTV, won multiple awards, and influenced an entire generation of artists and directors. Funko’s new figure celebrates that legacy in a compact and collectible form, appealing to both dedicated fans and newer audiences discovering these moments for the first time.

With this new release, Funko continues to honor Michael’s artistic impact by spotlighting the visuals that shaped modern music culture. The Beat It figure adds another essential chapter to the growing lineup and offers fans a chance to bring home a small piece of one of music’s most influential eras.