‘Michael’ Teaser Hits 30M Views in Hours as Lionsgate Hints at Sequel Plans

The first teaser for Michael, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate, is already a massive hit online. Within just six hours of its release, the teaser scored more than 30 million views, around 50 percent higher than what John Wick: Chapter 4 managed in the same time frame.

The news came directly from Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson during the company’s quarterly earnings call. He praised the early response and shared new details about the film’s progress, as well as the possibility of a follow-up.

MICHAEL – in theaters April 24, 2026 #MichaelMovie pic.twitter.com/CzmEuwTcFi

— Michael Jackson (@michaeljackson) November 6, 2025

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Bohemian Rhapsody’s Graham King, Michael is one of the studio’s biggest upcoming releases.

The film is set to arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026. Fogelson confirmed that Lionsgate had originally planned Michael as a single film, but it was later divided into two parts. The decision was made not only because the first cut ran over three and a half hours, but also due to legal limitations involving scenes related to one of Jackson’s accusers. The agreement between the accuser and Jackson’s estate prevented any depiction of their story on screen.

When asked if the second half of the project was still being planned, Fogelson said the creative team remains focused on continuing the story but stopped short of confirming a sequel. “Since the last time we spoke on an earnings call, we’ve had the great pleasure of seeing the director’s cut of the first film, and it is exceptional,” he said.

“While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, I can tell you that the creative team is hard at work making sure that we’re in a position to deliver more Michael soon after we release the first film.”

Fogelson also praised Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, who plays the King of Pop in the biopic. “People have been waiting a long time for this,” he added. “I think people are stunned with Jaafar’s performance.”

The excitement around Michael suggests strong anticipation ahead of its release. With a record-breaking teaser and growing buzz around Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal, the film is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about music biopics in years.

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