Three decades after the moonwalk first bent gravity on live television, the story behind the glove is finally heading to the big screen. The long-gestating biopic Michael has ignited a familiar electricity among fans, an anticipation that feels a lot like the seconds before a stadium erupts into the opening bass-line of ‘Billie Jean.’ With Jaafar Jackson stepping into the sequined shadow of Michael Jackson, and Antoine Fuqua directing, the project promises to revisit the myth, the music, and the machinery that built the King of Pop.

But with a catalog that stretches from Motown innocence to stadium-sized pop domination, the obvious question is: which songs actually made the cut?

According to Sony Music, the film will weave through Jackson’s career milestones using a carefully selected lineup of hits spanning his early days with The Jackson 5 to his peak solo superstardom. To perfectly, sonically capture the Jackson's trajectory, songs featured in the Michael Jackson biopic are:

The official soundtrack companion album will be released by Columbia Records and will be available both digitally and physically on April 24. The 13-track collection traces Jackson’s musical arc, from the Motown-era harmonies of The Jackson 5 to the genre-defining brilliance of 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller'. Written by John Logan, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson alongside Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller, Colman Domingo, and Juliano Krue Valdi.

Distributed by Lionsgate, the film traces Michael Jackson’s journey from child prodigy to a visionary entertainer chasing global superstardom.

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Yet behind the curtain of glittering choreography and platinum records, the film’s arrival has also stirred a familiar rhythm within the Jackson dynasty discord.

Multiple reports suggest the biopic has sparked tension among Michael Jackson’s siblings, turning a family screening into a heated exchange. Sources claim the divide largely centres on differing reactions to the film’s portrayal of their late brother.

At the centre of the disagreement is Janet Jackson, who reportedly expressed strong criticism during a Los Angeles gathering to preview the movie, ahead of the film’s release. Meanwhile, her brother Jermaine Jackson, whose son Jaafar Jackson plays Michael enthusiastically, supported the project. 

The reported dispute is striking considering Janet Jackson was invited to participate in the film but declined, leaving her absent from the narrative despite her close bond with her brother. Still, none of the off-screen drama has dampened the anticipation surrounding the film itself. After multiple release delays and edits to address legal sensitivities, the biographical epic is finally set to hit theatres on April 24, 2026.

For fans who grew up spinning vinyl copies of 'Thriller' or rewinding VHS recordings of the Motown 25 performance, Michael represents something bigger than a biopic. It is a chance to step back onto the soundstage where pop history itself was choreographed.

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When the music starts, and the story unfolds, which of Michael Jackson’s iconic songs are you most excited to hear in the film? Let us know your picks in the comments.