Key Takeaways
- Lionsgate submitted Michael as a comedy or musical, but the Golden Globes rejected that classification despite director Antoine Fuqua personally supporting it.
- The $1 billion Michael Jackson biopic will instead compete as a drama, putting Jaafar Jackson in the Best Actor – Drama race alongside predicted contenders Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, and Andrew Scott.
- Lionsgate can appeal by Oct. 31 but reportedly will not challenge the ruling, while nominations arrive Dec. 7 ahead of the Jan. 10, 2027, ceremony.
Michael Jackson's billion-dollar biopic has hit an unexpected roadblock on its way to awards season: The Golden Globes don't consider it a musical.
Lionsgate's attempt to submit Michael in the Golden Globes' comedy or musical categories was rejected, forcing the Antoine Fuqua-directed film into a considerably different drama race. According to Variety, the decision came despite Fuqua personally submitting a letter supporting the studio's preferred classification.
The ruling means Michael, which became the first biographical film to surpass $1 billion worldwide, will now compete for one of six Best Motion Picture – Drama nominations alongside contenders including Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and La Bola Negra.
Lionsgate can still appeal the ruling, although sources told Variety that the studio is unlikely to challenge the decision. The company declined to comment.
The issue comes down to what the Golden Globes actually considers a musical.
Under the organization's rules, "A musical can be a comedy or a drama in which songs are used in addition to spoken dialogue to further the plot."
That distinction creates a problem for Michael. Although Jaafar Jackson recreates several of his uncle's most recognizable performances, including material from the Jackson 5 era and his blockbuster solo career, those sequences apparently weren’t enough to meet the committee's requirements.
The Globes have dealt with this issue before.
Ray and Walk the Line both won in the comedy or musical categories during the 2000s, but subsequent rule changes tightened the definition of a musical. More recent music biopics, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, and A Complete Unknown, competed as dramas despite featuring extensive musical performances.
For Jaafar Jackson, the classification changes the field in which his performance will be considered. The first-time actor, who portrayed his uncle in the film, is now being discussed as a potential Best Actor – Drama nominee, with Variety placing him among its current predictions alongside Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, and Andrew Scott.
The decision does not affect Colman Domingo or Nia Long, who portrayed Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively. The Golden Globes' supporting performance categories are not divided by genre.
The setback comes during an otherwise remarkable run for Michael.
After costly reshoots and a delayed release, the film opened in April and became Lionsgate's highest-grossing movie. Its success also prompted the studio to begin developing a sequel, with production tentatively targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.
The movie's commercial impact extended well beyond theaters. Jackson's catalog saw a major resurgence, with "Billie Jean," "Chicago," and "Beat It" occupying the top three spots on Billboard's R&B Streaming Songs chart. Sony Music also reported a 22% increase in quarterly music sales, identifying Thriller and Bad among its strongest-performing projects.
The Globes will announce nominations Dec. 7, with the ceremony scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027.
