Golden Globes Shift ‘Michael’ Biopic From Musical/Comedy to Drama Categories for 2027 Awards

The Golden Globes awards committee has ruled that *Michael*, the Michael Jackson biopic, must compete in drama categories at the 2027 awards. It rejected Lionsgate’s request to enter the film as a musical or comedy, finding that its songs do not sufficiently advance the story. The classification may make a best actor nomination harder for Jaafar Jackson, whose lead role would be judged in a more competitive category.

The film stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar and has grossed $1.029 billion worldwide, making it the first biopic to pass $1 billion and $117 million ahead of *Bohemian Rhapsody*’s music-biopic record. Lionsgate can appeal before the 31 October submission deadline, though an appeal is considered unlikely. The genre ruling does not affect supporting performances by Colman Domingo and Nia Long, as those categories are not divided by genre; nominations are due on 7 December, with the ceremony scheduled for 10 January.