A new Jackson 5 documentary will include Tito Jackson's final interview, recorded before his death in 2024 — the emotional centerpiece of a project that has been three years in the making. Banijay Entertainment announced the as-yet-untitled film, which will arrive as both a 90-minute feature and a three-part series for a global release.
What we know
The documentary is produced by Workerbee — part of Banijay UK — and Paper Route Studios, with Mediawan introducing it to international buyers at Mipcom. A premiere date and streaming platform have not yet been announced.
The film was made through observational filming, rare archive footage, unseen family material and intimate recollections from Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon Jackson — the four brothers at the center of the story this time. It explores their childhood in Gary, Indiana, their father Joe Jackson's demanding approach to managing their careers, and Motown Records' role in launching the group to worldwide fame.
The brothers will also be seen in the present day, performing and reflecting on their lives, fame and complicated family relationships. According to the production, the siblings have different memories of their upbringing — "the pressure, the competition, the laughter between takes" — alongside fond memories of their mother, Katherine Jackson, at the center of the family's early years.
The people behind it
The documentary is directed by Benjamin Hirsch, who previously helmed the acclaimed Janet Jackson documentary. "From listening to their untold and amazing stories, delving into their rare and often unseen archival footage and rediscovering their incredible back catalog of hits, this film has been a real treat to put together," Hirsch said.
"The Jackson 5 are one of the most influential musical acts of all time," said Rick Murray, CEO of Workerbee Group. "This film tells the story of the four remaining members of the original band from their perspective, offering an unprecedented insight into their rise from humble beginnings to global superstardom and their lives through today."
Why it matters
Tito Jackson, the group's guitarist, died in September 2024 at age 70. His final interview lets audiences hear his own perspective on the family's history alongside his surviving brothers — giving his account a particular weight within the larger family narrative.
The announcement arrives amid a resurgence of attention on the Jackson legacy. The Michael biopic, starring Jaafar Jackson, has surpassed $1 billion worldwide this year, becoming Lionsgate's biggest box office success, with a sequel already in development. Separately, Marlon Jackson is developing an eight-episode docuseries about his father, titled The Manager, The Mythology, The Legend, for BLK Prime.
After decades of the spotlight falling brightest on Michael, this documentary finally hands the story to his brothers — and to Tito, one last time.
Music in this post's reel: Kevin MacLeod - Life of Riley (incompetech.com), licensed under CC BY 3.0
Sources: Parade, Blex Media, 107.7 The Bounce, That Grape Juice