All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Since the release of the 2026 Michael movie, Michael Jackson fans have been insatiable for more content on the “King of Pop.”
The biopic debuted in theaters on Friday (April 24), and was a massive success at the box office, bringing in a record-breaking $97 million domestic opening and a global launch of $217.4 million, according to Sunday estimates, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The success speaks to the lasting power Jackson has had on the world of music and pop culture, despite his passing in 2009. That’s around 16 years without the “Beat It” singer, and yet, his legacy prevails.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, had the biggest opening weekend ever for a music biopic. Jackson’s life and career are the major draw of the film, but another selling point was the casting, specifically of Michael, who is played by his nephew Jaafar Jackson (son of Jermaine Jackson).
It’s an interesting choice, and one that likely aided in the film’s success, given his portrayal has been applauded by many in the Jackson family. “I was flabbergasted. I have to tell you that you think it’s Mike,” MJ’s sister La Toya Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter of the portrayal. “You forget it’s Jaafar; you think it’s Michael.”
If you’re looking for even more Jackson content, below, we’ve included where you can watch a few other documentaries about him for free, along with a few books.
How to Watch Michael Jackson’s This Is It
‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’ 2009.
Prime Video
This 2009 documentary chronicles Jackson’s supposed comeback. It was set to be a major moment in pop-culture history, culminating in a 50-show residency titled This Is It held at London’s O2 Arena. The concert residency never happened due to Jackson’s sudden death on June 25, 2009, just weeks before the July 13, 2009, opening date.
The footage shown in the documentary is exclusively from his private rehearsals in California. The documentary offers fans a closer look at Jackson’s life behind the scenes and a deep dive into his process. It’s a special look at what could have been. This is a longer watch at one hour and 52 minutes, something you’ll want to dedicate time to if you want to watch all the way through.
Prime Video
Michael Jackson’s This Is It is available to watch online now via Prime Video. To watch, you’ll need to subscribe to Amazon Prime, which will then give you access to Prime Video. A subscription to Amazon Prime will run you $14.99 a month. With your subscription, you’ll have access to Prime Video to watch the Jackson documentary. Better yet, Amazon Prime has a 30-day free trial, allowing you to stream the doc without spending a dime.
Apple TV
Apple TV also includes Michael Jackson’s This Is It within their streaming library. A subscription to the service will run you $12.99 a month or $99 a year. When you subscribe, you’ll gain access to the Jacksom documentary, along with Apple TV’s extensive library, along with Apple Originals, MLS matches and every Formula 1 race weekend. The service offers a seven-day free trial, allowing prospective subscribers the ability to test out the service before committing to anything.
Philo
Philo is another option for those looking to watch the This Is It documentary online. A subscription to the service’s Essentials plan goes for $25 a month and includes 70+ live TV channels along with 75,000+ on‑demand titles, including the Jackson doc, and one year of unlimited DVR. Philo offers a seven-day free trial, giving users the option to test out the streaming platform’s offerings before committing to yet another subscription.
How to Watch TMZ Presents: Michael Jackson: 30 Fatal Seconds
TMZ’s 2026 ‘Michael Jackson: 30 Fatal Seconds’ film.
IMDB
This 2026 documentary, produced by TMZ, reveals never-before-seen footage of the 30 fatal seconds that changed Michael Jackson’s life. Lifelong fans of Jackson might remember this specific moment where he’d been filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. The star’s hair caught on fire during the shooting, causing second- and third-degree burns to his scalp. While the premise is primarily fixed on that faithful day, the TMZ documentary also focuses on Jackson’s alleged obsession with plastic surgery, a severe addiction to narcotics and his eventual death. This is a short watch at 42 minutes, enough to get through in under an hour.
Hulu
You can stream the TMZ documentary via Hulu. As of now, a standard Hulu subscription with ads is $11.99 a month, while the ad-free plan goes for $18.99 a month. Students can get Hulu’s ad-supported plan for $1.99 monthly. Whichever plan you choose, subscribers will have access to Michael Jackson: 30 Fatal Seconds, along with tons of movies and TV shows via Hulu’s extensive library. The streaming site offers a 30-day free trial to new and returning members. After the 30 days, the subscription auto-renews at the standard monthly rate unless canceled.
Fubo
Another way to watch the documentary is on Fubo, which has a five-day free trial available here. Continue with one of Fubo’s streaming deals or cancel before your free trial is up to avoid being charged. See details here.
Can I Stream Leaving Neverland?
The 2019 documentary is not available to stream as of now. The Dan Reed-directed watch documents Jackson’s alleged sexual abuse of two boys, aged 7 and 10. The doc was removed from HBO platforms following a settlement in October 2024 regarding a lawsuit filed by the Michael Jackson estate, according to Rolling Stone.
Books on Michael Jackson
Moonwalk by Michael Jackson
This is Michael Jackson’s only autobiography, published in 1988. The book gives readers a rare look at Jackson’s childhood from his perspective, along with his time in Jackson 5, his career and his signature dance moves.
In the Studio with Michael Jackson by Bruce Swedien
This book documents recording engineer Bruce Swedien’s experience working with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones on some of Jackson’s most iconic albums, like “Off the Wall” and “Thriller.”
