Despite the ongoing political tensions between the United States and Russia following the conflict in Ukraine, Michael has become one of the rare major American productions to secure a theatrical release in Russia. The highly anticipated biopic, distributed internationally by Lionsgate, is scheduled to hit Russian cinemas on May 28.
But ahead of its official release, Moscow already rolled out the red carpet.
On May 22, the Russian capital hosted a glamorous premiere event for Michael, bringing together local celebrities, influencers, entertainment personalities, and invited guests for a night inspired by the King of Pop himself. While none of the movie’s cast members or production staff attended — an expected absence given the current geopolitical climate — organizers still recreated the atmosphere of a major Hollywood premiere.
Guests arrived for carpet photo moments before entering a specially decorated cinema venue featuring dramatic lighting installations, a DJ booth, and an illuminated dancefloor playing Michael Jackson classics throughout the evening. Inside the theater, confetti cannons erupted as the screening began, adding to the spectacle and concert-like energy surrounding the event.
Videos and photos shared on Russian social media showed attendees dressed in elegant eveningwear, posing beneath giant Michael promotional displays and dancing to tracks from Michael Jackson’s legendary catalog before the screening.
The Moscow premiere underlines the continued global fascination with Michael Jackson’s legacy, even in markets where Western entertainment releases have become increasingly uncommon in recent years. Since 2022, many Hollywood studios have either suspended or significantly limited official releases in Russia. That makes Michael one of the few high-profile American titles to receive a wide theatrical rollout in the country.
For Russian fans, the Moscow event offered a rare opportunity to experience the scale and excitement of a global movie premiere firsthand — even without Hollywood itself present.
