Jaafar Jackson's 'Michael' teaser sets record for most views
What's the story
The teaser trailer for Michael Jackson's upcoming biopic Michael has set a new record by garnering over 116 million views within the first 24 hours of its release, reported Collider. This feat makes it the most-viewed teaser for a music biopic ever. The film is led by Jaafar Jackson (29), Jackson's nephew.
Record-breaking views
Trailer surpasses 'John Wick' series
The Michael trailer not only broke the record for a music biopic but also set a new high for Lionsgate. It surpassed the previous record holder, John Wick: Chapter 4, by a significant margin, with a 50% higher view count overall. "People have been waiting a long time for this," said Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate's group chair. "I think people are stunned with Jaafar's performance."
Comparison with other trailers
'Michael' beats other music biopics
The Michael trailer has left all other comparable trailers in the dust. It surpassed the views of Bob Marley: One Love (60.1 million), Bohemian Rhapsody (57.6 million), and A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic (47.2 million), per Collider. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, with John Logan penning the screenplay. It will be released on April 24, 2026. The film reportedly has a budget of $155 million.
Film details
Cast and plot of the film
Michael chronicles the life and career of the King of Pop, from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global superstar in the 1980s. The trailer features Jaafar perfectly replicating his uncle's iconic dance moves, including the legendary moonwalk and a recreation of Thriller. Other cast members include Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones.