The Golden Globes awards committee has rejected a bid by Lionsgate to enter Michael, the biographical film about late pop icon Michael Jackson, in the Comedy or Musical categories for the 2027 awards ceremony.
The decision means the film, starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, is expected to compete in the Drama categories instead, potentially placing it against major productions including The Odyssey.
According to reports by TheWrap, the committee ruled that the film did not meet the requirements for the Comedy or Musical categories.
Golden Globes rules state that a musical can be a comedy or drama in which songs are used alongside spoken dialogue to advance the plot. The committee reportedly determined that the musical performances in Michael did not sufficiently drive the storyline to qualify under that definition.
Lionsgate can appeal the decision before the submission deadline. According to TheWrap, the studio has until October 31 to challenge the ruling.
The decision does not affect the film’s supporting acting campaigns, as the Golden Globes’ supporting actor and actress categories cover performances across genres. Colman Domingo and Nia Long, who portray Jackson’s parents, remain eligible in their respective categories.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, Michael chronicles Jackson’s rise to global fame, from his early years with the Jackson 5 to his solo career. The 84th Golden Globes nominations are scheduled to be announced on December 7, 2026, with the awards ceremony set for January 10, 2027.
