George Michael’s Faith tour film heads to theaters in 2026
Universal Pictures Content Group and Bleecker Street’s Crosswalk will release the restored concert film worldwide, with U.S. Imax early access screenings planned.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
George Michael’s 1988 Faith Tour is getting the big-screen treatment, with Universal Pictures Content Group and Bleecker Street’s event cinema division Crosswalk taking on the concert film for a late 2026 theatrical release.
Universal Pictures Content Group will handle the international rollout of George Michael: The Faith Tour, while Crosswalk will release it in North America. In the U.S., Bleecker Street will also work with Imax on exclusive early access screenings, according to the companies.
The film was shot at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy during the European leg of Michael’s Faith Tour in 1988. It includes never-before-seen footage of the singer, captured during a 14-camera shoot on 35mm film across two nights.
Andy Morahan and David Austin directed the concert film. Morahan previously worked with Michael on videos including “Last Christmas,” “Faith” and “Careless Whisper,” while Austin’s credits include George Michael Freedom Uncut and George Michael at the Palais Garnier, Paris.
The theatrical presentation will open with an original short film by Mary McCartney, whose credits include If These Walls Could Sing and Mary McCartney Serves It Up! The short, titled Finding Faith, features Michael’s voice from a previously unheard interview, unseen images taken by photographer Herb Ritts and behind-the-scenes material from the “Faith” music video.
George Michael Entertainment and Globe Originals produced the project in partnership with Mercury Studios. The film is planned for premium-format theatrical screenings around the world.
Helen Parker negotiated the deal for Universal Pictures Content Group, while Avy Eschenasy handled negotiations for Bleecker Street.
Parker said Michael’s performances from the Faith Tour still carry the force of his stage presence and his bond with audiences. She said the big-screen presentation is aimed both at fans who remember that era and younger viewers discovering his work as a performer and creator.
Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson said the Faith Tour captured Michael at a key point in his creative and cultural career. Sanderson said the restored archive footage and previously unheard interviews will give audiences a close view of the artist during that period.
Ken Danquah, chief finance and commercial officer at Mercury Studios, said the company was proud of the work that went into restoring and presenting the footage. He said Universal Pictures Content Group and Crosswalk were strong partners for taking the film to global audiences.
Lucie Avery, general manager of Globe Originals, said bringing The Faith Tour to theaters was an honor after working with Michael and his team over the years. Avery credited Mercury Studios and George Michael Entertainment with shaping the project from the beginning.
Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in London, founded Wham! with school friend Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. The duo’s hits included “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Club Tropicana” and “Last Christmas.”
After Wham! split in 1986, Michael launched a solo career. His debut solo album, Faith, sold more than 25 million copies and won a Grammy. Across a career of nearly four decades, he sold more than 100 million albums. He died in 2016 at age 53.
Alongside the theatrical release, George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment will issue The Faith Tour, an 18-track live album made up of previously unreleased recordings from Michael’s Wham! and solo catalogs.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.