The Jackson Brothers Are Finally Telling Their Own Story in a New Documentary

Long before Michael Jackson became the King of Pop, he was one of 5 brothers performing in talent shows around Gary, Indiana. The group first called themselves the Jackson Brothers before changing their name to the Jackson Five in 1965, eventually becoming one of the most successful and influential boy bands in history.

The family’s story has returned to the spotlight this year. Antoine Fuqua’s biopic ‘Michael’, starring Jermaine Jackson’s son Jaafar in the title role alongside Colman Domingo and Nia Long, arrived in theaters in April after years of delays.

Now, the founding members of the group are getting a project of their own. Workerbee, part of Banijay UK, and Paper Route Studios have secured exclusive access to Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon Jackson for a new documentary, Variety reported.

The project will be released as a 90-minute feature-length film and will also be available as a 3-part docuseries. Mediawan is handling international distribution and is launching a sales push at MIPCOM.

For the first time, the 4 brothers come together to tell their story in their own words. The film traces their journey through the band and the very different paths each of their lives took afterward.

One of the most poignant elements of the documentary is its inclusion of Tito Jackson’s final interview. The musician died on September 15, 2024, making his contribution especially meaningful for fans.

Tito and Jackie were the most consistent members of the group over the years, while Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and Randy left at different times. Tito later launched a solo career as a blues musician in 2003.

His story begins. The official trailer for MICHAEL – in theaters and IMAX April 24. https://t.co/DfGJNcuXU2

— Michael (@michaelmovie) February 2, 2026

The documentary uses observational filming, rare archive footage, unseen material and personal recollections from the brothers. It explores how they were shaped by their father, Joe Jackson, whose determination turned family rehearsals into an intense training ground.

The brothers also reflect on their mother, Katherine, who stood at the heart of the family operation. Her influence is a key part of the story as the group began to venture beyond Gary.

Before signing with Motown, the brothers spent years rehearsing at home and performing at school functions and supermarkets. Those humble beginnings eventually led to global fame.

The documentary has been 3 years in the making and is directed by Benjamin Hirsch. He previously worked on a documentary about Janet Jackson. “Following our work with Janet Jackson, having the opportunity to work with the Jackson brothers is a huge privilege,” Hirsch said in a statement to Variety. Yessica De Brouwer serves as associate producer, with Murray and Marc Pos as executive producers.

The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Jermaine was the first to leave the group, while Michael departed in 1984, followed by Marlon, and the band later continued as The Jacksons with youngest brother Randy.

The brothers have shared parts of their lives on screen before. A&E’s ‘The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty’ followed Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon after Michael’s death, documenting their efforts to reunite and work on new music. This isn’t the only Jackson family project in development. A separate series about Joe Jackson, created with Marlon’s involvement, is set to premiere on BLK Prime.

With international buyers set to see the new documentary at MIPCOM, it may not be long before audiences get a fresh look at one of music’s most famous families. For the brothers, it’s a chance to finally share their side of the story.

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