Golden Globes Move Michael Biopic Into Drama Categories for 2027

The Golden Globes committee has rejected Lionsgate's request to enter Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, in the Musical or Comedy categories for the 2027 ceremony. The film will compete in the drama categories instead. TheWrap reported the decision on Oct. 20, 2026, and confirmed an earlier report from Gold Derby.

Deccan Chronicle's Oct. 21 report attributes the same ruling to Variety, with Gold Derby first reporting it. For readers tracking the awards, Jaafar Jackson will now compete for lead actor in a drama category.

What the Globes' Musical Definition Requires

The Globes define a musical as a comedy or a drama in which songs are used alongside spoken dialogue to further the plot, according to TheWrap and Deccan Chronicle. Wikipedia's entry for the category gives the same definition, and says the award has been given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which it describes as now defunct.

Under that test, songs must move the plot, and Michael's musical numbers apparently were judged not to do so. TheWrap reports that the committee apparently felt the performances did not work as narrative drivers, so the film did not meet the musical criteria. That was despite a letter from director Antoine Fuqua making the case for the submission.

Wikipedia also lists general eligibility conditions for films in the category, including a running time of at least 70 minutes and a commercial release of at least seven days in the greater Los Angeles area.

Earlier Biopics and the Category's Changing Rules

TheWrap reports that Ray and Walk the Line squeaked by as musicals in 2005 and 2006, before the rule change. Wikipedia's category page lists Ray as a nominee for 2004 films, and Walk the Line as the winner for 2005 films.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and Baz Luhrmann's Elvis (2022) have since competed as dramas, according to TheWrap. That is the route Michael now takes.

The category has changed in other ways. Wikipedia reports that it was split into separate comedy and musical awards from 1958 to 1962 and returned to a single award in 1963. A 2007 rule barred animated films from this category and from drama. Dick Clark Productions later amended that rule after controversy over animated films splitting votes between categories, so animated films can now compete in this category, in drama and in Animated Feature at the same time.

Where Michael Lands in the Drama Field

Jaafar Jackson, who plays Michael Jackson, will now compete for lead actor in a drama, judged against drama rivals rather than musical or comedy ones. TheWrap lists Matt Damon for The Odyssey, John Malkovich for Wild Horse Nine and Andrew Scott for Elsinore as likely nominees.

Deccan Chronicle reports that the film would compete for one of six available drama slots, with Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Los Javis' La Bola Negra among the competing films.

The ruling does not reach the supporting race. TheWrap reports that Colman Domingo and Nia Long are unaffected, because supporting categories are not split by genre. Deccan Chronicle identifies Domingo and Long as Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine.

Antoine Fuqua directed the film and John Logan wrote it. According to Deccan Chronicle, the film covers Michael's rise from the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the late-1980s Bad tour.

The film was released in April. TheWrap reports that it became the first biopic to gross $1 billion worldwide, although it received negative reviews and had a troubled production.

Lionsgate's Options and the Key Dates Ahead

Lionsgate can appeal the decision before the Oct. 31 submission deadline. If it does, the awards committee would evaluate the appeal, according to Deccan Chronicle.

Without an appeal, the drama placement stands. TheWrap reports that a letter from Fuqua laid out the case for the submission. The committee apparently felt that those performances do not drive the narrative.

TheWrap reports that nominations for the 84th Golden Globes will be announced Dec. 7, and that the ceremony, hosted for a second straight year by Nikki Glaser, airs Jan. 10.

The Oct. 31 deadline falls about five weeks before nominations are announced. The drama placement stands unless an appeal is filed before that date.