Breaking news: Tickets are now available for special advance screenings of Michael! Lionsgate announced today, March 11th at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, that these one-time-only events will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd – two days before the movie comes out everywhere.
Fans won’t have to wait much longer! Tickets are now available for early purchase for the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic. The film, directed by and starring Jaafar Jackson as the iconic singer, will tell the complete story of Michael’s life and career, starting with his beginnings in the Jackson 5 in Gary, Indiana, and following his rise to become a global superstar.
The new movie about Michael Jackson will feature over 30 of his songs, so what albums best showcase his incredible career? From his early, soulful recordings with Motown to the innovative sounds he created later in life, we’ve ranked every Michael Jackson solo studio album to get you ready for this major film event.
| Feature | Details |
| Ticket Sale Date | Wednesday, March 11, 2026 (LIVE NOW) |
| Early Access Screening | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 |
| Wide Release Date | Friday, April 24, 2026 |
| Available Formats | IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 70mm, ScreenX |
| Official Ticketing | Fandango, AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas |
10. Music & Me (1973)
Following his successful first album, Michael Jackson’s third solo Motown project, Music & Me, didn’t perform as well. It only reached No. 92 on the Billboard 200 chart, likely because Motown’s usual production methods didn’t quite suit Michael’s evolving voice. Though the album includes contributions from artists like Smokey Robinson, it doesn’t have the vibrant energy fans associate with Jackson’s music. Ultimately, it highlights a promising talent still working within a very structured, “assembly line” approach to making records.
This collection of songs captures a young Michael, age 14, as he deals with his changing voice and a music industry in transition. Though it doesn’t have a huge, standout hit, the heartfelt title track is particularly meaningful and revealing. The album showcases his early passion for music, a period the upcoming biopic will likely portray as a crucial step towards his later fame.
9. Forever, Michael (1975)
Forever, Michael was the fourth and best of Michael’s solo albums for Motown. Recorded when he was sixteen, it showcases his developing, more mature and soulful voice right before he transitioned to Epic Records. Featuring faster-paced songs like “We’re Almost There” and “Just a Little Bit of You,” the album moved away from his earlier, more youthful sound, demonstrating his potential to become a major solo artist.
Many consider this album to be among the artist’s best early work, as it feels more original and less predictable than his previous releases. Songs like “One Day in Your Life” later became huge successes, demonstrating the lasting quality of the music. Although the artist didn’t have complete artistic freedom yet, the album’s “Philly soul” sound gives it a fresh, contemporary feel compared to his earlier work. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable album and a great introduction to the incredible music he would create in the 1980s.
8. Ben (1972)
Released only seven months after his first solo album, Ben demonstrated that Michael Jackson wasn’t just a temporary success with the Jackson 5. The album’s most popular song, the heartfelt ballad “Ben,” became Michael’s first number-one solo hit. This achievement was hugely significant, earning him a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination. It proved to the music industry that Michael could successfully lead a project and create a film soundtrack all by himself.
The rest of the album still sounds very much like a typical Motown production. It features covers and energetic soul songs that are well-executed, but don’t yet showcase the unique sound Michael Jackson would become known for. However, it’s considered more important than Music & Me due to its historical value.
7. Got To Be There (1972)
Michael made a huge splash with his first album at only 13 years old, instantly grabbing the attention of the music industry. Songs like the energetic “Rockin’ Robin” and the heartfelt title track showcased his incredible vocal talent and maturity beyond his years.
This album is the basis for everything that came after, and seeing these songs brought to life on screen will probably be a very nostalgic experience for longtime fans. Although it showcases Michael Jackson before he signed with Epic Records, it’s still an incredible reminder of his early talent and a fascinating look back at his beginnings.
6. Invincible (2001)
As a longtime fan, I always admired how Michael Jackson kept pushing boundaries, and his final studio album really showed that. Working with Rodney Jerkins, he embraced a modern R&B sound – songs like “You Rock My World” and “Butterflies” were amazing! While it didn’t quite change the world like his 80s hits, it’s still one of my favorites because of how incredibly polished and mature it sounded. To me, it felt like a really sophisticated and fitting end to an unbelievable career, always looking forward to what was next.
5. HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
Released during a difficult time in his life, Michael Jackson’s album HIStory showed a new, more assertive side of the artist. Featuring the powerful duet “Scream” with his sister Janet – which broke records – and the thought-provoking “Earth Song,” the album marked a turning point where Michael directly addressed the media and important global problems with a newfound boldness.
This album is ranked at number five due to its incredible energy, although its grand scope occasionally diminishes the simple, catchy fun of Michael Jackson’s previous work. The intense recording sessions for these songs would make a fantastic setting for the upcoming biopic, offering insight into Jackson’s thinking in the 1990s, even though the film mainly centers around his earlier, more famous songs.
4. Dangerous (1991)
At the start of the 1990s, Michael Jackson realized he needed to change his musical direction. He ended his long partnership with producer Quincy Jones and began working with Teddy Riley, exploring the New Jack Swing sound. This led to the album Dangerous, which was tougher, more modern, and more experimental than his previous work. Featuring popular songs like “Black or White” and “Remember the Time,” Michael demonstrated his ability to stay relevant and maintain his status as a music icon as the decade began.
Many consider Dangerous to be Michael Jackson’s most creatively bold album, both in terms of its music and its visuals. The music videos released during this period were groundbreaking, achieving a level of cinematic production previously unseen. While it doesn’t quite reach the top three albums of all time – those spots are reserved for what many consider the most flawless pop records ever – Dangerous remains a favorite among fans who appreciate its raw energy and willingness to experiment. For many, it’s their personal best.
3. BAD (1987)
After the massive success of Thriller, a lot of artists would have felt completely overwhelmed trying to follow it up. But Michael Jackson did just that with Bad. He really shifted his image, going for a tougher, more edgy look with all the leather jackets, and the music itself felt more raw and connected to the streets. And the album was huge – it spawned five number-one singles in a row, which was a record that nobody broke for over two decades!
From the exciting “Smooth Criminal” to the thoughtful “Man in the Mirror,” the album Bad showcased Michael Jackson at the peak of his success, both on tour and in record sales. It lands at number three simply because the top two albums are considered even better. Though Bad is a perfect pop album, it marked the start of Michael trying to surpass the incredible legacy of Thriller.
2. Off The Wall (1979)
For me, Off the Wall is where Michael Jackson really became Michael Jackson. After being at Motown for so long, meeting Quincy Jones was a game-changer. They made something incredible – a really funky, liberating album. It’s honestly the most purely fun record he ever did. That first beat of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” just grabs you, and “Rock with You” is so smooth. You can really hear a young artist finally breaking free and doing exactly what he wanted to do.
Many music fans consider Off the Wall Michael Jackson’s best album due to its consistent quality – it’s a seamless listening experience from start to finish. The album was groundbreaking, successfully blending R&B with popular music. While it didn’t quite reach the cultural impact of his next release, Off the Wall remains a strong candidate for one of the greatest pop albums ever made.
1. Thriller (1982)
Choosing Thriller as number one might seem predictable—some even prefer the energy of Off the Wall—but its worldwide impact is undeniable. This album broke down racial barriers on MTV, transforming music videos into spectacular, large-scale productions. Each song is a perfect example of pop songwriting, from the rock-influenced “Beat It” to the iconic “Billie Jean” bassline, which remains unmatched to this day.
More than just a sales success, Michael Jackson’s Thriller had a huge impact on popular culture. It made him a worldwide entertainment icon, famous everywhere. Even today, as a new movie about his life is planned for 2026, Thriller continues to be the benchmark for all pop music.
FAQ
Q: What is Michael Jackson’s best-selling album?
Michael Jackson’s Thriller is still the world’s best-selling album, having sold more than 70 million copies. It famously topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks – a record that still stands.
Q: How many solo studio albums did Michael Jackson release?
Michael Jackson created 10 solo albums throughout his career. He began with four albums released as a young artist with Motown Records, and later released six albums as an adult with Epic Records, starting with Off the Wall in 1979.
Q: Will the ‘Michael’ biopic cover all his albums?
Although details about the upcoming 2026 film are still being kept secret, producers have revealed it will cover Michael Jackson’s entire life story, starting with his days in the Jackson 5 and ending with his rehearsals for the This Is It concert tour.
Q: Who is playing Michael Jackson in the 2026 movie?
I just got a first look at the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, and it’s… intriguing. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, is taking on the monumental task of playing the King of Pop himself. And honestly? From what I’ve seen, he’s got the moves and the look down. Antoine Fuqua is directing, which is a fantastic sign, and we’re all set to see this one hit theaters globally in April 2026. It’s a huge undertaking, but I’m cautiously optimistic about how this will turn out.
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2026-03-11 16:44