Michael Jackson Biopic Trailer Drops With Chilling Joe Jackson Line: “You’re Either a Winner or a Loser”
Lionsgate has released a new trailer for the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, giving fans a closer look at the singer’s early life and his family. The trailer introduces Michael’s parents and the pressures that shaped the future King of Pop.
In one of the most striking moments, Joe Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, addresses his children with his signature tough love: “In this life, you’re either a winner or you’re a loser.” Joe’s words capture both his role as a father and the manager of the Jackson Five, the group that launched Michael’s career.
At another point, Nia Long, portraying Michael’s mother Katherine, tells her son: “I knew you were different the moment you were born. You have a special light.” The trailer highlights the family dynamics and the early signs of Michael’s extraordinary talent.
His story begins.
— Michael (@michaelmovie) February 2, 2026
The official trailer for MICHAEL – in theaters and IMAX April 24. pic.twitter.com/DfGJNcuXU2
Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, steps into the lead role, marking his feature film debut as the pop legend. In the trailer, he recreates some of Michael’s most famous moves, including the iconic moonwalk. According to Lionsgate, the first teaser trailer, released last November, became the studio’s largest trailer debut ever, racking up 116.2 million views worldwide within 24 hours, making it the most-viewed trailer for any music biopic in history.
The trailer launch was promoted during a TV commercial airing at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, with Lionsgate dropping the full trailer online Monday morning. Antoine Fuqua directs the biopic, which will open in theaters and IMAX on April 24 after several delays, most recently from fall 2025.
Other cast members include Miles Teller as attorney John Branca, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe, Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, and Juliano Krue Valdi as a young Michael Jackson. Lionsgate will distribute the film in the United States, while Universal Pictures is handling the international release.
The trailer gives fans a first glimpse of the Jackson family’s influence on Michael and the challenges he faced growing up, setting the stage for the rise of one of music’s biggest icons.
The trailer makes it clear that Michael will dive deep into the family pressures and early struggles that shaped the pop star. It looks intense, emotional, and full of iconic music moments. I’m curious to see how Jaafar Jackson handles the role—he has big shoes to fill. What do you think about the trailer and this new biopic? Share your thoughts in the comments.
