Michael Jackson is the most iconic pop figure of all time, and possibly no hip-hop artist will ever achieve the same level of success and stature. From growing up in a poor household to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated musicians, Jackson had millions of fans worldwide before his untimely passing.
Over the years, his life has been adapted to the screen, focusing either on his superhit albums or other important or controversial chapters of his career. With his first official movie, titled ‘Michael,’ scheduled to be released soon, here are five previous features about MJ that you need to watch.
5. Bad 25 (2012)
This documentary movie by Oscar-nominated director Spike Lee marked 25 years of the 1987 album ‘Bad‘ and its tour. It looks closely at how songs like ‘Bad,’ ‘The Way You Make Me Feel,‘ and the ‘Smooth Criminal‘ video were made, with thoughts from artists such as Kanye West and Mariah Carey.
The film shows both the success Jackson enjoyed and the pressure that came with it. It gives a clear picture of Jackson at the height of his fame and stands as a lively tribute to his talent and impact.
4. Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016)
Another Spike Lee documentary, this one follows Michael Jackson’s journey from his early days in the Jackson 5 to his rise as a solo artist with the album ‘Off the Wall‘. It includes rare footage and interviews with people he worked with, such as Quincy Jones.
The film focuses on his music and his time in the studio. It shows how he grew as an artist before the media spotlight became intense.
3. The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)
This Emmy-winning two-part TV miniseries tells the story of the Jackson family and their rise from Gary, Indiana, to worldwide fame. ‘The Jacksons: An American Dream‘ features strong performances by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Joe and Angela Bassett as Katherine, with young actors playing the siblings, including Michael Jackson.
The series shows the difficult parts of their childhood and the tensions within the family, while also focusing on the music that made them famous. It is often seen as one of the best portrayals of the Jackson family and helps explain Michael’s drive and the challenges he faced.
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2. Moonwalker (1988)
A wild and unusual film directed by Colin Chilvers and others, ‘Moonwalker’ stars Michael Jackson in a mix of concert footage, short films, and a sci-fi story. It includes well-known parts like ‘Smooth Criminal,‘ with his famous lean, and Badder, which features young dancers.
The film mixes fantasy, where he plays a hero fighting a drug lord, with his real music and performances. It may feel uneven at times, but it shows his ideas clearly and has become a cult favorite that captures his bold style in the 1980s.
1. Michael Jackson’s This Is It (2009)
Directed by Kenny Ortega, this documentary offers a close look at Michael Jackson in his final days. ‘This Is It’ is made from many hours of rehearsal footage for his planned London shows. It shows how hard he worked, how strong his voice still was, and how carefully he planned every part of the stage show at age 50.
Rather than melancholy, the film is full of energy and creativity. He is seen shaping dance moves, guiding his dancers, and refining songs like ‘Thriller‘ and ‘Smooth Criminal’. It became one of the highest-earning documentaries and gives a clear sense of his drive to get everything just right.
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