Michael Jackson biopic fuels nationwide screenings and Tokyo talk event in Japan

The biographical film Michael — portraying the life of Michael Jackson — opened in Japan on 12 June 2026 and quickly became a box‑office hit, with worldwide earnings reported above $9 billion. To mark the film’s success, a special talk event was held in Tokyo on 24 June, featuring kabuki actor Ichikawa Somegorō and actor‑singer Morisaki Win, who discussed their personal admiration for Jackson and highlighted moments from the movie, including plans to incorporate a moonwalk routine into a traditional kabuki piece.

The event also announced a nationwide “support screening” programme that will run from 25 June across roughly 200 Japanese cinemas, coinciding with the anniversary of Jackson’s death. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson and includes scenes depicting Jackson’s love of horror movies and his early solo US #1 hit “Ben,” which was originally a theme song for a vintage animal‑panic film. The release has generated extensive media coverage and fan enthusiasm throughout Japan.