Will Jaafar Jackson moonwalk to “Smooth Criminal,” “Thriller,” or “Bad?”

Which Michael Jackson hits made the cut? All the songs featured in the King of Pop’s biopic

Will Jaafar Jackson moonwalk to "Smooth Criminal," "Thriller," or "Bad?"

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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April 25, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET

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Jaafar Jackson in 'Michael'. Credit:

- Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic hits theaters on Friday.

- Rather than tracing his entire life, the film tracks Jackson's origins with the Jackson 5 through the beginnings of his solo career.

- So, which songs from the King of Pop's impressive catalog made the cut?

They didn't call him the King of Pop for nothing.

Condensing the complicated legacy of Michael Jackson's career into a single biopic presents many challenges. Among them is the fact that the singer's catalog is packed with several unambiguous hits.

Throughout his storied career, Jackson accumulated Grammys, topped international charts, and solidified his place in pop culture history as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

But at just under two hours, Antoine Fuqua's biopic can only fit so many songs. In other words, don't expect to hear every one of your favorites from Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Krue Valdi, the duo tasked with portraying the titular star as a child and young adult, respectively.

Jaafar Jackson recreates the "Thriller" music video in 'Michael".

Lionsgate Movies/Youtube

*Michael* isn't only limited by its runtime: the biopic covers a set period of Jackson's career, meaning not all of his hits are on the table. Beginning with Valdi, the film traces the artist's career from his origins with the Jackson 5 — where he stood out as the breakout star of the pivotal Motown group — to his years as a sensitive solo singer reforming his identity as an adult. Jaafar (Michael's real-life nephew) portrays the singer as the film offers a glimpse of his early adult years, when he pioneered music videos and released some of his most famous tracks.

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In the end, the film closes out in 1988, never getting into his later artistry — including Michael's slept-on hits from the '90s. So which song made the cut?

First up are the early hits, representing Jackson's Motown era:

- "I'll Be There" — Jackson 5

- "Never Can Say Goodbye" — Jackson 5

- "Who's Lovin' You" — Jackson 5

- Jackson 5 medley: "I Want You Back / ABC / The Love You Save"

Judah Edwards as Young Tito, Jaylen Hunter as Young Marlon, Juliano Krue Valdi as Young MJ, Nathaniel McIntyre as Young Jackie and Jayden Harville as Young Jermaine in "Michael".

Courtesy of Lionsgate

The film then transitions into covering Jackson's groundbreaking solo run, highlighting songs from 1979's *Off the Wall*, 1982's *Thriller*, and 1987's *Bad*. Those tracks include:

- "Don't Stop' Til You Get Enough" — Michael Jackson

- "Beat It" — Michael Jackson

- "Thriller" — Michael Jackson

- "Billie Jean" — Michael Jackson

- “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” — Michael Jackson

- "Human Nature" — Michael Jackson

- "Workin' Day and Night" — Michael Jackson

- "Bad" — Michael Jackson

The film, directed by Fuqua and written by John Logan, explores Jackson's life both onstage and off as he delivers some of his most iconic performances.

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In addition to Jaafar and Krue, the cast also includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Juliano Valdi, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones.

The companion album will arrive April 24 — the same day *Michael* hits theaters.

- Biopic Movies

- Musical Biopic

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Musical”