Michael Jackson Tops The Official Top 40 Biggest Albums Of 2026 So Far With Three Albums In The Chart!
Michael Jackson continues to prove that his music is timeless! The King of Pop has claimed the Number 1 position on The Official Top 40 Biggest Albums of 2026 So Far in the UK, with The Essential Michael Jackson leading the way. Even more impressively, Michael has three albums featured in the year-to-date Top 20!
According to the latest figures published by the Official Charts Company, The Essential Michael Jackson has accumulated more than 508,000 UK chart units so far this year, securing the top spot ahead of releases by some of today’s biggest music stars. The compilation, originally released in 2005, has overtaken Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving, which sits at Number 2, and Harry Styles’ Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, at Number 3.
But this achievement is about much more than one successful greatest hits collection. Michael’s catalogue is continuing to attract listeners across generations, with two of his most iconic studio albums also making the list.
Here are Michael’s three entries in the Official Top 40 Biggest Albums of 2026 So Far:
#1 – The Essential Michael Jackson
The 2005 compilation takes the crown as the UK’s biggest album of 2026 so far. Featuring 38 tracks spanning Michael’s extraordinary solo career, the collection remains a popular introduction to his music, bringing together many of the songs that helped define him as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
#16 – Thriller
Released in 1982, Thriller remains one of the most influential albums in music history. Featuring legendary tracks such as “Billie Jean”, “Beat It” and “Thriller”, the album continues to find new listeners while longtime fans return to its groundbreaking sound. More than four decades after its release, Thriller is still making its presence felt in the UK charts.
#20 – Bad
Michael’s 1987 album Bad completes his trio of entries in the Top 20. Home to classics including “Bad”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Man in the Mirror”, “Smooth Criminal” and “Dirty Diana”, the album showcases another defining chapter in his remarkable career.
The renewed interest in Michael’s music follows the release of the biopic Michael in April 2026, which has helped introduce his songs and legacy to a new generation of audiences. The film’s impact is reflected in the continued demand for his catalogue, with listeners revisiting the classics and discovering the music for themselves.
Having one album at Number 1 would already be an impressive achievement, but having three albums inside the Top 20 demonstrates the remarkable staying power of Michael’s music. While today’s biggest stars compete for chart positions, his work continues to stand alongside the most popular releases of the year.
Michael Jackson may have left us in 2009, but his music remains very much alive. From The Essential Michael Jackson at Number 1 to Thriller at Number 16 and Bad at Number 20, the King of Pop continues to reign over the charts.
Der Cast vom Michael-Jackson-Musical bekommt prominente Unterstützung. Sänger Nico Santos wagt den legendären Moonwalk und singt einen Abend als Special Guest. Wie gelingt ihm der einzigartige Tanz?
Hamburg (dpa) - Tanzen wie der King of Pop: Dafür braucht es Rhythmus, Coolness und ein bisschen Mut. Sänger Nico Santos ist großer Michael-Jackson-Fan und hat sich der sportlichen Herausforderung gestellt. Das war „sehr, sehr schön, sehr, sehr anstrengend aber auch. Ich bewundere Michael und natürlich alles, was er gemacht hat, mein ganzes Leben lang schon“, sagte der 33-Jährige der Deutschen Presse-Agentur in Hamburg. Der Künstler ist mit Popsongs wie „Rooftop“ und „Safe“ erfolgreich geworden. Er ist zudem Juror bei der Castingshow „The Voice of Germany“. Tanzen vom Profi lernen
Im Stage Theater an der Elbe hat sich Santos von Michael-Darsteller Oxa die einzigartigen Schritte beibringen lassen. Sidekicks und Slides, Posen mit Hut und schließlich der berühmte Moonwalk zu „Billie Jean“ standen auf dem Trainingsplan. Profi Oxa war begeistert vom Tanztalent des Schülers. Etwa eine halbe Stunde wurde getanzt, gelacht und auch geschwitzt. Als kleines Kind habe er viel Zeit vor dem Spiegel verbracht und die Moves geübt, sagte Santos. Michael Jackson sei der Grund, warum er heute Musik mache. Santos ist großer Michael-Jackson-Fan
„Meine Eltern waren beide Musiker, aber die haben mir damals zu meinem dritten Geburtstag in Michael Jackson VHS-Kassette geschenkt. Es war die History Part Two. Und ab da gab es in meinem Leben eigentlich nur Michael Jackson Musik.“
Nach der Vorstellung von „MJ - Das Michael Jackson Musical“ stand Santos auch noch selbst auf der Bühne. Gemeinsam mit dem Ensemble und der Band performte der Sänger die zwei Michael-Jackson-Songs „Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough“ und „Man in the Mirror“. Sein Auftritt wurde vom Publikum mit begeistertem Applaus gefeiert. „Ihr habt heute Abend allen hier im Raum, aber auch mir, einen Traum erfüllt“, sagte Santos. „Der dreijährige, sechsjährige und auch der 33-jährige Nico ist so voller Liebe - dank euch.“
Santos persönlicher Lieblingssong von Michael Jackson sei mit „Who is it“ aber eher ein „Nischensong“, erzählte der Künstler. Darum geht es im Musical
„MJ - Das Michael Jackson Musical“ erzählt die Entstehungsgeschichte von Jacksons „Dangerous“-Welttournee 1992 und gibt in Rückblenden Einblicke in Kindheit, Jugend und den Weg zum Ruhm. Hits wie „Billie Jean“, „Thriller“ und „Smooth Criminal“ führen durch Michaels Kindheit und seine Karriere.
Seit der Premiere am 1. Dezember 2024 in Hamburg hat sich „MJ - das Michael-Jackson-Musical“ laut Veranstalter zu einem Publikumsmagneten entwickelt. Im Mai dieses Jahres knackte das Musical die Eine-Million-Besuchermarke. Das Ticketangebot habe der Veranstalter deshalb bis August 2027 erweitert.
MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL is heading to Asia, with Japan confirmed as the starting point of a major international tour in January 2027.
The four-time Tony Award-winning production will launch its International Asian Tour at Tokyo’s Tokyu Theatre Orb in January 2027. The Tokyo season will be presented by Kinoshita Group together with the John Gore Organization and Kumiko Yoshii.
The announcement marks another major step in the global journey of the production, which has already been seen by more than 8 million audience members worldwide across Broadway, London’s West End, Hamburg, the U.S. National Tour and sold-out seasons in Australia.
Now, the story of Michael Jackson’s music and career is set to reach audiences across Asia, with Tokyo serving as the launch point for the new international tour.
The Asian production will bring together a world-class company of performers, musicians, creatives and crew from across the international MJ family, reflecting the scale of the production and its success around the world. Returning to Japan
There is perhaps no more fitting place to begin the Asian tour than Japan.
Michael Jackson had a long-standing relationship with Japanese audiences, and the musical’s Tokyo arrival comes more than three decades after one of the most memorable chapters in that relationship.
The production is set against the backdrop of Michael’s Dangerous World Tour, while its arrival in Tokyo comes after Jackson himself performed an historic eight-concert run at Tokyo Dome during the 1990s.
More than 30 years later, MJ THE MUSICAL will bring audiences back to that era, exploring the story behind one of the defining periods of Michael’s career and celebrating the music and artistry that made him a global phenomenon.
Michael’s connection with Japan has continued through the generations, with his music remaining hugely popular among Japanese fans. More recently, the success of the record-breaking Michael biopic has introduced his story to a new generation of audiences across the country. “A different kind of electricity”
Director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon OBE is also looking forward to returning to Tokyo.
Wheeldon previously brought An American in Paris to Tokyu Theatre Orb and says returning to the venue with MJ feels like coming home.
“Japan has given me thirty years of extraordinary experiences creating and performing in the ballet and musical theatre, so returning to the Orb — where we brought An American in Paris, feels like coming home. MJ is a different kind of electricity, and I can’t wait for Japanese audiences to feel it. Full velocity from this incredible cast. See you in January.”
The Tokyo engagement will officially launch what promises to be a major new chapter for MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL, with the International Asian Tour taking the production to a new part of the world.
And with the show already having welcomed millions of fans across several continents, it seems Michael Jackson’s music is ready to be Startin’ Somethin’ all over again, this time in Asia. For more information, sign up HERE.
Estate-Approved Michael Jackson TV Project Promises Untold Stories
A new Michael Jackson television project is coming this fall, and this one promises something fans have been waiting for: never-before-seen visuals and personal stories from someone who knew Michael and the Jackson family for decades.
POLARIS has unveiled the first teaser for The Greatest Stories Never Told, a new television project created with Steve Manning, a longtime Jackson family confidant whose relationship with the family stretched across approximately four decades.
Perhaps most importantly, the project has been officially co-signed by the Michael Jackson Estate.
That Estate involvement is particularly notable at a time when numerous Michael Jackson documentaries and projects continue to emerge, each offering its own interpretation of his life and career.
According to POLARIS, The Greatest Stories Never Told was in development long before the upcoming Michael biopic and is being created specifically with Michael’s core fan audience in mind.
“This isn’t another familiar retelling,” POLARIS said when announcing the project, describing it instead as a personal look at Michael’s life, humanity and spirit through the eyes of someone who personally knew him. From fan club founder to family insider
Steve Manning’s connection to Michael Jackson goes back much further than Michael’s solo superstardom.
At just 15 years old, Manning established the official Jackson 5 Fan Club from his mother’s apartment in Harlem. His enthusiasm eventually attracted the attention of major figures at Motown, including Berry Gordy and Suzanne de Passe.
By the mid-1970s, however, Manning was no longer simply a fan.
He became part of the Jackson family’s inner circle, living with the family, working as a publicist and travelling internationally with The Jacksons. His relationship with the family continued through some of the most important periods of Michael’s career.
That includes the Jacksons’ transition from Motown to Epic Records, Michael’s starring role in The Wiz and the creation and release of Off the Wall, the album that established Michael as a major solo superstar.
It is this firsthand experience that will form the basis of the new project.
POLARIS says the series will feature untold stories and never-before-seen visuals connected to the Jackson family dynasty, providing a perspective from someone who was present during moments that helped shape Michael’s career. The Estate connection
The description of the project as “officially co-signed by the Michael Jackson Estate” is arguably one of the most interesting aspects for fans.
While the wording does not necessarily mean that the Estate produced the project, its stated endorsement gives The Greatest Stories Never Told a significant distinction from many independent productions about Michael.
MJVibe has contacted the Michael Jackson Estate directly to verify the claim and confirm whether the project has been officially approved or endorsed by the Estate. We will update this article should the Estate provide confirmation.
For fans who have seen numerous documentaries, interviews and retrospective projects over the years, the involvement of the Estate is likely to raise expectations about the material being presented and the access behind it.
The project also arrives at a particularly interesting moment for Michael Jackson.
Following the enormous success of the Michael biopic, which crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide, public interest in Michael’s music, career and personal story has once again reached new heights.
Yet The Greatest Stories Never Told appears determined to take a different route.
Rather than revisiting only the most familiar moments of Michael’s life, it promises to explore the person behind the superstar through the memories of someone who was there long before the Thriller era and remained connected to the Jackson family for decades.
“We believe this will be the most authentic and essential Michael Jackson project released yet,” POLARIS said.
That is certainly a big claim.
But with Steve Manning’s extraordinary history with the Jackson family, a promise of previously unseen material and, crucially, the project being officially co-signed by the Michael Jackson Estate, The Greatest Stories Never Told is certainly one for fans to keep an eye on.
The project is currently expected to arrive this fall, with further details expected to be announced soon.
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Hunderte Fans haben in Mexiko-Stadt Michael Jacksons 68. Geburtstag gefeiert. Verkleidet als Popstar oder Zombies tanzten sie die berühmte "Thriller"-Choreografie und erinnerten an den "King of Pop".
Paris Jackson Shares Heartfelt Moment With Michael in “The Breeze”
Paris Jackson has released a deeply personal new song titled “The Breeze,” and for Michael Jackson fans, the final moments of the track may prove to be the most emotional.
At the end of the song, Paris includes what appears to be a private recording featuring the voice of her father, Michael Jackson. In the touching audio, Michael can be heard telling his daughter, “Love you, Paris. I love you, Paris!” before a young Paris sweetly replies, “I love you.”
It is a simple moment, but one filled with so much emotion.
For fans who have spent decades watching and learning about Michael Jackson’s extraordinary life, it is easy to remember the global superstar, the performer and, of course, the King of Pop. But this intimate recording offers a different side of Michael, one that his children knew best: a loving father speaking affectionately to his little girl.
We have always known how much Michael loved Prince, Paris and Bigi. Throughout his life, his children were clearly at the centre of his world. But hearing his voice in such a private and natural moment is something else entirely. There is no stage, no camera crew and no audience, just a father telling his daughter that he loves her.
And that is perhaps what makes the recording so heartfelt and, for many fans, tearful to hear.
Paris has often spoken about the special relationship she shared with her father, and hearing this small exchange between them is a beautiful reminder of that bond. Michael Jackson may have belonged to the world, but he was also a dad, and to Paris, he was simply her father.
“The Breeze” is a deeply personal release, and this final moment feels like Paris allowing listeners to briefly share in a precious memory that belongs to her family.
You can listen to “The Breeze” and discover more about Paris Jackson through the links below. “The Breeze” on Spotify
The World Celebrates Michael Jackson on His 68th Birthday
As every year on August 29, the world came together to celebrate Michael Jackson. On what would have been his 68th birthday, fans across the globe gathered to honour the King of Pop, proving once again that Michael’s music, dance and message continue to resonate with generations everywhere.
From famous Michael Jackson landmarks to city squares, dance floors and special events, fans sang, danced and celebrated the man who continues to bring people together 68 years after his birth.
Fans Gather at Michael’s Landmarks
Of course, some of the most emotional celebrations took place at locations forever connected with Michael.
In Gary, Indiana, fans travelled from around the world to visit Michael’s childhood home at 2300 Jackson Street. Flowers were left outside the house, messages were written on the pavement, and fans dressed in fedoras, gloves and Michael-inspired outfits celebrated his music together. The gathering was particularly meaningful this year, as Gary is still recovering after devastating storms and extended power outages affected the community.
Elsewhere, fans visited Michael’s resting place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California, continuing the annual tradition of leaving flowers and messages in his memory.
The original 1995 promotional statue only recently found its new permanent home in Sweden, and King Of Pop Fans of Sweden joined forces with the Danish Moo.Walkers to organise a birthday celebration at the foot of the impressive monument.
The celebration helped establish the statue as a new pilgrimage site for Michael Jackson fans in Europe and judging by the pictures and videos being shared, it is already becoming an essential stop for fans travelling through Scandinavia.
The day included the unveiling of the restored “Heal The World” plaque, originally inaugurated in 1992 during Michael Jackson’s historic visit to Bucharest. Fans then gathered at the Michael Jackson Monument on Michael Jackson Alley in King Michael I Park for a special birthday celebration.
The Romanian fan community then continued the celebration into the night with an official Michael Jackson Birthday Party in Bucharest, featuring dance performances, look-alike competitions and, of course, plenty of Michael Jackson music.
Dancing Around the World
And those were only some of the organised events.
Across the world, fans took over city squares, parks and dance floors to celebrate Michael’s birthday. Whether through flash mobs, sing-alongs, dance performances or simply blasting Michael’s music for everyone to hear, August 29 once again became a day where the global Michael Jackson family came together.
Even in London, fans gathered in Trafalgar Square for a birthday celebration and a group sing-along, another reminder that, wherever you go, there will always be people ready to celebrate Michael.
Across China, fans also gathered in cinemas and recorded public videos to wish Michael Jackson a happy birthday.
In Mexico City, hundreds of fans came together for a spectacular tribute to Michael Jackson on August 29. To commemorate what would have been the King of Pop’s 68th birthday, people of all ages gathered to perform a massive dance tribute to “Thriller”, recreating the iconic zombie choreography made famous in Michael’s legendary short film. Michael Jackson impersonators also took to the stage to perform routines they have spent years perfecting. The celebration was spearheaded by the local fan community group “Yo Sí Bailo Michael Jackson”, once again proving that, around the world, Michael’s music and dance continue to bring generations of fans together.
Brooklyn Loves MJ Returns
One of the biggest celebrations of the day took place in New York.
Spike Lee’s annual BK Loves MJ returned to Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park, bringing fans together for a free seven-hour celebration of Michael’s life and music.
With DJ Spinna providing the soundtrack, fans, dancers and music lovers gathered from noon until the evening to dance and celebrate the King of Pop. The event was presented in partnership with Jordan Brand and marked the return of the famous Brooklyn celebration after several years without a traditional live edition.
Spike Lee has always had a special connection with Michael, having directed the short films for “They Don’t Care About Us” as well as the documentaries Bad 25 and Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall. For years, his annual Brooklyn celebration has been one of the most recognisable Michael Jackson birthday events in the United States.
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The Official Celebration in Las Vegas
Of course, fans also travelled to Las Vegas for the annual official Michael Jackson Birthday Celebration at the Michael Jackson ONE Theatre.
Hosted once again by Karen Langford, who took central stage, the event featured an awkward tribute to the late John McClain before moving into a discussion involving Prince Jackson and choreographers Rich and Tone Talauega, who shared their experiences and connection with Michael biopic. The four of them were on the same stage a year ago, Rich & Tone have been on the same stage for few years now. It is hard to understand why Langford is bringing the same people over and over every year when she has access of hundreds of people who worked with the King of Pop!
Not to mention she forgot to announce the yearly Michael Jackson Social Media profile picture and used the same graphics than last year.
The afternoon was followed by a special performance from the cast of Michael Jackson ONE. And of course the “meet & greet” featuring John Branca. Followed by the “tired” Book signing of Michael Bush’s book.
While the format of the Estate’s annual event has now become very familiar to returning fans, it remains a special opportunity for Michael Jackson fans from around the world to come together under one roof and celebrate his birthday. Prince Jackson also led fans in a public birthday wish for his father during the celebrations.
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Michael Was Everywhere
It wasn’t just fans who remembered Michael.
Radio stations, television networks, brands and official accounts around the world shared birthday wishes and tributes throughout the day. And this year, with the enormous commercial success of the Michael biopic bringing Michael Jackson back into the mainstream conversation in a major way, the King’s birthday appeared to receive even more attention than usual.
Noting how fans around the world continue to come together to celebrate the joy, love and inspiration Michael brought to millions.
And perhaps that is what makes August 29 so special.
Michael Jackson may no longer be physically with us, but every year his birthday reminds us just how alive his legacy remains. In Gary, Los Angeles, Sweden, Romania, New York, Las Vegas, London and countless other places around the world, people of every age came together for one reason:
To celebrate Michael.
Happy Birthday, Michael. The world still loves you.
Michael Jackson ONE Nominated for USA TODAY 10Best Award & Fans Can Vote Daily!
Michael Jackson fans have a new opportunity to support one of the King’s most celebrated productions. Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil has been nominated in the “Best Las Vegas Show” category as part of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, where the public decides the winners.
Each year, the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards invite readers to vote for their favorite attractions, destinations, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment experiences across a wide range of travel and lifestyle categories. Nominees are first selected by a panel of experts before the public casts the deciding votes.
This year, Michael Jackson ONE is competing against some of the biggest productions on the Las Vegas Strip. At the time of writing, the leaderboard stands as follows:
1. Barry Manilow – The Hits Come Home! 2. Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil 3. RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE
4. Absinthe
5.Carrot Top
Voting is open now, and fans can vote once per day until Monday, August 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The final Top 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, September 2.
Since opening at the Mandalay Bay Resort in 2013, Michael Jackson ONE has become one of Las Vegas’ signature productions, blending Cirque du Soleil’s breathtaking acrobatics with Michael Jackson’s legendary music, choreography, and visual artistry. The immersive show continues to attract fans from around the world and remains a highlight for visitors to Las Vegas.
If you’d like to help Michael Jackson ONE climb to the top of the leaderboard, be sure to cast your vote and don’t forget that you can return every day until voting closes.
Michael Jackson’s nephew shares never-before-seen photos from the set of ‘Michael’ (exclusive)
The hit biopic will be available to stream on Starz on Monday.
Jafaar Jackson behind-the-scenes of ‘Michael’.
Credit:
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Michael is finally making its streaming debut — and Jourdynn Jackson is celebrating with exclusive photos from the set.
Jackson, the half-brother of star Jaafar Jackson and nephew of Michael Jackson, snapped a series of intimate black and white photos on the set of Antoine Fuqua’s smash-hit biopic, which hits Starz on Monday. Entertainment Weekly can exclusively debut a selection of those images below.
Jaafar Jackson behind-the-scenes of ‘Michael’.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Jourdynn captured his sibling in character as the King of Pop throughout various stages of production.
“Thanks to [producer] Graham King for trusting me with my camera on set,” Jourdynn tells EW via email. “Graham saw one of my photographs of Jaafar rehearsing early on and believed in what I was capturing. I’m grateful he gave me the opportunity to be a fly on the wall to capture some of these moments. What an amazing experience in so many ways.”
Jaafar Jackson on the set of ‘Michael’.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Jourdynn can’t pick a single favorite shot from his time on set. “It’s hard to pinpoint just one, but some of my favorite photos are from the rehearsals and pre-production,” he says. “There were moments when it was just Jaafar in the room, completely locked in and giving it everything. Those intermittent moments were really special to witness and photograph.”
Jaafar Jackson on the set of ‘Michael’.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Jourdynn was amazed to witness his brother portray his late uncle on set. “Watching Jaafar transform into Michael was like a coming-of-age experience,” he says. “We’ve watched Jaafar since he was a little kid study Michael’s artistry. I knew he had it in him, but none of this would have been possible without his hard work and dedication, which he has truly shown. The stars have aligned in some way. So proud.”
The photographer also captured a mini family reunion on set, with one shot showing his brother Jermajesty smiling alongside his cousin Prince Jackson, the eldest child of Michael and his second wife Debbie Rowe.
Jermajesty Jackson and Prince Jackson on the set of ‘Michael’.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Another shot also shows Jaafar in character opposite Insecure star Kendrick Sampson, who portrayed legendary producer Quincy Jones in the film. Jones, who died in 2024 and is listed in the Special Thanks section of the film’s credits, produced Michael’s first three solo albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad.
Jaafar Jackson and Kendrick Sampson behind-the-scenes of ‘Michael’.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Michael also stars Colman Domingo as Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Michael’s mom Katherine Scruse-Jackson, Miles Teller as Michael’s lawyer John Branca, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Michael’s bodyguard Bill Bray.
Juliano Krue Valdi portrayed a younger version of Michael in the film’s opening sequences as the singer rose to fame with the Jackson 5. Valdi previously spoke with EW about transforming into the “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” singer.
Jaafar Jackson on the set of ‘Michael’.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
“It was so surreal because I just thought that I was Michael,” Valdi recalled of seeing himself in full hair and makeup for the first time. “I had a second to look at myself in the mirror right before I was gonna film the ‘ABC’ scene, and I just remember thinking that I looked so cool and that I was about to make everyone proud.”
Valdi put a lot of effort into perfecting Michael’s moves and mannerisms. “I just got straight to work and started putting [on] a lot of videos of his interviews, of him talking, of him dancing and moving just to get, like, his voice down,” he said. “I had to work for hours and hours every single day.”
Jaafar Jackson on set.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Jourdynn also captured a photo of Jaafar chatting with Fuqua and King. The film marked a stylistic departure for Fuqua, who’s best known for action movies and thrillers like Training Day and the Equalizer trilogy.
Michael eventually became the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, earning $1.02 billion at the global box office.
Jaafar Jackson, Graham King, and Antoine Fuqua on set.
Jourdynn Jackson for Lionsgate
Last week, Jaafar officially lined up his first post-Michael acting project: Supermax, an action-thriller starring Will Smith from Halloween director David Gordon Green.
“Y’all ain’t ready,” Smith wrote on social media as he announced the news.
Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
Michael hits Starz on Aug. 10. The film is also now available with behind-the-scenes special features on Digital and 4K.
‘Michael’ Wins Favorite Movie at World Choice Awards 2026
The success of Michael continues as the film has officially been named Favorite Movie at the 2026 World Choice Awards™, a fan-voted awards program celebrating the biggest names in entertainment and popular culture.
Announcing the result, the World Choice Awards praised the overwhelming support from fans around the world:
Zitat
“The fans have spoken and the King of Pop reigns once again.”
The organization highlighted Michael‘s remarkable achievements, describing it as the highest-grossing music biopic of all time and praising Jaafar Jackson’s acclaimed portrayal of Michael Jackson, noting that his performance “left the whole world speechless.”
The award was decided entirely by public vote, with fans choosing Michael over fellow nominees The Devil Wears Prada 2, Enola Holmes 3, Backrooms, Obsession, and Leviticus.
The World Choice Awards also thanked fans for their incredible support, saying that by voting for Michael, they “did not just vote for a movie” but “voted for a legacy.”
Congratulations to everyone involved in Michael, and to the fans worldwide whose votes helped secure another well-deserved honor for the film.
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Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Gives Update On ‘Michael 2’ Estimated Production Start & Release Date
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson gave an update on the highly anticipated sequel to the studio’s Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, telling analysts on a Q1 call that “we are targeting a production start towards the end of this year or early next.”
As far as when we’ll see the sequel to Liongate’s highest grossing $1 billion-plus movie, Fogelson shared “I think that end of calendar ’27 and the first half of calendar ’28 would be the current thought of roughly where the movie would go.”
Fogelson couched these statements by emphasizing, “we’re not ready to announce everything at the moment.”
He was asked by analysts on today’s call about the profit structure of the first pic, particularly in regards to its share with the Jackson estate and Universal (which licensed foreign), as well as the budget of the sequel given the fact that there’s an amount of footage already banked from the first production.
“We do have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated, but we are mostly focused right now on how to make sure we can deliver, at the right price, the biggest, best sequel,” says Fogelson, “That is what the audience is going to want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time. So we’re not ready to give guidance on the budget yet, but we certainly will be able to take advantage of some stuff that we previously shot, as I had said before.”
The release date of Michael was delayed from November 2025 to the final weekend of April 2026. During production, the Jackson estate overlooked the inclusion of one of the pop singer’s accusers in the John Logan written script. The sequence was already shot, and forced $50M of reshoots, which the Jackson estate covered. Still, there was a significant amount of footage shot on the Antoine Fuqua directed, Graham King production which provided the catalyst for a sequel.
Fogelson explained that Lionsgate views the profitability on its films in a ten-year cycle and that Michael will have “a long tail.”
Universal generated a bulk of Michael‘s $643.7M oreign box office sans Russia, C.I.S. and Japan which Lionsgate’s foreign sales arm managed.
Added Fogelson, “There’s nothing unusual as far as profit being shared among participants.”
The studio boss added that the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, is one of the studio’s most best tested.
Damit hat "Michael" den Film "Der Hobbit: Eine unerwartete Reise" (1,017 Mrd.) wie erwartet überholt und ist jetzt auf dem besten Weg auch noch "Alice im Wunderland" von Tim Burton und "Zootopia" zu übertreffen (beide liegen bei ca. 1,0255 Mrd.) .
Jackson joins the previously announced Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb. The details of his role are being kept under wraps, but it’s said to be pivotal to the film’s central plot, revolving around two FBI agents (Smith and Robb) investigating a seemingly impossible murder within the impenetrable walls of a maximum-security prison.
David Gordon Green is directing from a script by David Weil and David J. Rosen. The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman are producing alongside Smith and Adam Fishbach for Westbrook Studios.
Scribes Weil and Rosen will exec produce alongside associate producer Natalie Laine Williams. Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman, President of Film Alexandra Loewy, COO Thom Zadra and SVP Spencer Ela also will exec produce, alongside James Lassiter and Miguel Melendez for Westbrook Studios.
CAA Media Finance brokered the deal between Miramax and Amazon MGM, which is closing a deal for worldwide distribution rights, with plans for Supermax to stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Jackson garnered critical acclaim for his transformative turn as the King of Pop — no easy role to take on, and a highly personal one — in Michael, the film from Antoine Fuqua, which now stands as the highest grossing biopic of all time, ahead of Oppenheimerand Bohemian Rhapsody. He surely has plenty of offers coming in on the heels of his success there; stay tuned to see how he fills out his dance card.
Jackson is represented by CAA and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern.
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Michael Jackson Blocks Himself From A New No. 1 Hit — Again
Less than a month ago, Beyoncé released a new single titled “Morning Dew (Donk).” At first, some fans thought the track might offer an initial taste of an upcoming album – the as-yet-untitled Act III, which follows Renaissance and Cowboy Carter is expected soon – but that is not the case. The song instead leads the forthcoming twentieth-anniversary rerelease of B’Day, and it quickly became a major hit.
“Morning Dew (Donk)” nearly earned Beyoncé another No. 1 on one streaming tally, but she was blocked from the summit by perhaps the most successful solo artist of all time. As Beyoncé’s latest single falls, Michael Jackson nearly scores another posthumous leader — but once again, he stops himself from reaching the peak position.
Michael Jackson Misses Out on a New No. 1 Again
“Chicago” leaps from No. 4 to No. 2 on the R&B Streaming Songs chart, which ranks the most-played R&B tracks in the United States on streaming platforms. Jackson’s hit trades places with “Morning Dew (Donk).” Beyoncé’s single slips from its all-time high of No. 2 to No. 4, while “Chicago” returns to the runner-up rung.
“Chicago” has now spent a lucky 13 weeks on the R&B Streaming Songs chart. It first reached No. 2 in June, nearly two months ago, and this frame it matches that previously-established peak.
Michael Jackson Blocks Himself From No. 1
“Billie Jean” continues to lead the R&B Streaming Songs chart, preventing “Chicago” from advancing to the loftiest space. Jackson occupies both the Nos. 1 and 2 positions on the ranking.
“Chicago” debuted on the R&B Streaming Songs chart in June 2014, but it took 12 years for the song to reach its peak. When it first climbed to No. 2 earlier this summer, “Billie Jean” was also the track that blocked it from ruling.
“Billie Jean” Has Now Led the Way for a Dozen Weeks
“Billie Jean” has now led the R&B Streaming Songs chart for 12 weeks. That is twice as long as the combined reigns of Jackson’s other two champions, “Thriller” and “Don’t Matter to Me,” his collaboration with Drake. Michael Jackson Has Two No. 2-Peaking Tunes
“Chicago” is one of only two Jackson tracks to peak at No. 2 on the R&B Streaming Songs chart. “Human Nature” has also missed out on ruling by only one space, and it pushed to that slot only a few weeks ago.
“Human Nature” did not reach the ranking until May of this year, following the release of the Michael biopic. One week after debuting, the longtime favorite nearly led the charge, but “Billie Jean” kept it from the throne.
Michael Jackson Controls the Top Three
Jackson fills all three of the highest positions on the current R&B Streaming Songs chart. “Billie Jean” remains at No. 1, “Chicago” advances to No. 2 and “Beat It” climbs to No. 3.
“Beat It” steps up from No. 5 and returns to its already-established peak. The smash first settled into third place during the same week that “Human Nature” failed to conquer the tally by one rung.
Michael Jackson Fills a Third of the R&B Chart
The R&B Streaming Songs chart contains only 15 positions, and Jackson occupies five of them — exactly one-third of the entire ranking. In addition to “Billie Jean,” “Chicago” and “Beat It” appearing within the top three, “Human Nature” holds at No. 7. “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” moves in the opposite direction, falling from No. 8 to No. 13 during, coincidentally, its thirteenth week on the tally.
Star Trek Meets Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” In Strange New Worlds’ Horror Episode
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds pays a perfect homage to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" while filming its new horror episode.
Directed by Axelle Carolyn and written by Robbie Thompson, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 2, "The Griffin Incident" is a startlingly spooky affair. Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong), Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck), and Lt. Commander James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) board a ghost ship, the USS Griffin, and face their deepest fears thanks to the malignant entity possessing the derelict starship.
Image credit: Paramount+
On her Instagram, Christina Chong shared a photo dump from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 2, that concludes with a brilliant video of herself leading the zombies as they perform Michael Jackson's signature dance from his "Thriller" music video. Joining Chong and the zombies are director Axelle Carolyn and writer Robbie Thompson. Check it out below:
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Christina Chong is a talented dancer and singer, and she matches Michael Jackson's iconic moves from his classic music video directed by John Landis. All that was really missing was Vincent Price's eerie voice-over. Of course, it's impossible not to think of "Thriller" when La'an is surrounded by zombies in the USS Griffin's Engineering bay.
The timing of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' horror episode and "Thriller" homage couldn't be more in sync with the zeitgeist. Just a few months ago, Michael, director Antoine Fuqua's biopic about the King of Pop, grossed over one billion dollars worldwide and reignited the pop culture relevance and global love for Michael Jackson, thanks to Jaafar Jackson's uncanny portrayal of his late uncle.
Credit: MovieStillsDB
Christina Chong, who is also a popular recording artist, previously released new music to coincide with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' second and third seasons. However, as Christina told ScreenRant, she was too busy filming Strange New Worlds seasons 4 and 5 back-to-back in 2025 to hit the studio and cut new tracks.
Perhaps Christina Chong will include a Michael Jackson song cover if she releases new music in tune with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' fifth and final season. In the meantime, Christina understood the assignment and became the life of a "Thriller" zombie party while filming "The Griffin Incident."
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 2, "The Griffin Incident" is now streaming on Paramount+
