LONDON – MARCH 05: Michael Jackson announces plans for Summer residency at the O2 Arena at a press conference held at the O2 Arena on March 5, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/WireImage)
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Michael Jackson’s This Is It, a music documentary that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the King of Pop preparing for a London concert residency before his death in 2009, is available to stream on several different digital platforms.
Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson — the nephew of the music legend and son of Jermaine Jackson — stars as the adult version of Jackson in the film as he navigates a fraught relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo), on his way to becoming a superstar solo artist with the release of the multiplatinum albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.
The film also stars Juliano Valde as Michael Jackson at age 10, as he and his brothers in The Jackson 5 begin their rise to fame before following the life and career of the pop music icon through 1988.
Despite being widely panned by critics for being more of a “Greatest Hits” compilation instead of delving into the singer’s complicated legacy, Michael was a blockbuster hit out of the gate at the box office April 24-26, earning more than $97 million from North American theaters and $120 million internationally for an opening weekend tally of $217 million worldwide.
Since it’s a documentary, Michael Jackson’s This Is It is much different than Michael in that it offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look into Jackson’s creative process as he rehearses for what would have been a 50-date concert residency at London’s O2 Arena, according to Rolling Stone.
Jackson, however, died at age 50 on June 25, 2009, less than two weeks before the residency was scheduled to begin on July 8. A month later, according to The Associated Press, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge approved a deal between Jackson’s estate, concert promoter AEG Live and Sony Pictures Entertainment subsidiary Columbia Pictures — which paid $60 million for the rights to release the music documentary — to release what would become Michael Jackson’s This Is It.
Directed by Jackson’s choreographer, Kenny Ortega, Michael Jackson’s This Is It was released in theaters on Oct. 28, 2009. The film went on to earn $72 million domestically and $189 million internationally for a worldwide box office take of $261 million.
Which Digital Platforms Are Streaming ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’?
Currently, Michael Jackson’s This Is It is available to stream for free with ads on Fandango at Home. In addition, the music documentary is available for viewers who have a subscription to AMC+, Apple TV, Philo and Sundance Now.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It is also available to rent ad-free for $3.99 on a variety of digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and Plex. The film is also available for digital purchase for $12.99 on Prime Video and Apple TV, and for $13.99 on Fandango at Home.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It is not available to stream on Netflix.