Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Just Hit Starz After a $1 Billion Run — Plus 5 More Movies Streaming This August

Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Just Hit Starz After a Historic $1 Billion Run

The King of Pop has officially come home. 'Michael', the long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua, started streaming on Starz on August 10 — and honestly, it's the biggest movie to land on any streamer this month. After crossing $1 billion at the worldwide box office earlier this year, it became the highest-grossing biopic of all time, dethroning Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'. Not bad for a film that was in development hell for decades.

If you haven't seen it yet, this is your sign. Here's everything worth knowing about 'Michael' — plus the other big titles quietly dropping on streaming this August.

Why 'Michael' Was Worth the Wait

Written by John Logan (the guy behind 'Gladiator' and 'The Aviator'), the film traces Jackson's journey from his days in the Jackson 5 in the 1960s all the way through the 'Bad' tour in the late 1980s. The casting is the real story here: Jackson is played by his actual nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in his feature film debut — and the resemblance is genuinely uncanny. Juliano Valdi plays young Michael, also making his debut.

Fuqua reportedly pushed for authenticity over hagiography, and critics have praised the concert sequences as some of the most electrifying music scenes put on film. It's not a perfect movie — some pacing issues in the middle act are hard to ignore — but as a celebration of Jackson's artistry, it lands.

What Else Is New on Streaming This August

'Michael' isn't the only heavyweight making its streaming debut this month. Here's the rest of your August watchlist:

• 'Oppenheimer' on Peacock (Aug. 13) — With Nolan's 'The Odyssey' currently obliterating theaters, now's the perfect time to rewatch his seven-Oscar-winning epic, starring Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.
• 'Camp Rock 3' on Disney+ (Aug. 13) — The Jonas Brothers are back as Connect 3, and nostalgia is officially a streaming strategy. Disney knows exactly what it's doing.
• 'Mother Mary' on HBO Max (Aug. 21) — Anne Hathaway plays a pop star in crisis in David Lowery's A24 drama, with original songs from Jack Antonoff, Charli xcx, and FKA Twigs.
• 'You, Me & Tuscany' on Peacock — Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page bring the rom-com energy to a Tuscan villa. Perfect lazy Sunday fare.
• 'Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour' on Paramount+ — Eilish's concert film, co-directed with James Cameron (yes, that James Cameron), is already streaming.

The Bottom Line

August is quietly one of the strongest streaming months of 2026. Whether you want a $1 billion biopic, a Nolan rewatch, or the Jonas Brothers reviving your childhood, there's something for every mood. Start with 'Michael' — it's the movie everyone will be talking about this week.