First Reactions to ‘Michael’ Praise the Music Biopic

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A new biopic about Michael Jackson, simply titled Michael, is set to release in 2026 alongside several other highly anticipated life story films. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the movie stars Jaafar Jackson – Michael’s nephew – as the iconic singer. The film will chronicle Jackson’s life and career, starting with his early years performing with his family as the Jackson 5 in the 60s and 70s, and continuing through his incredibly successful solo career, including the making of landmark albums like Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad.

The upcoming film has sparked debate, largely because Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, has expressed her disapproval of the project and questioned its accuracy. Some viewers are also worried the movie won’t fully address the more difficult parts of Jackson’s life, which have been widely reported. Despite these concerns, trailers suggest a visually stunning and musically rich experience celebrating the life of a legendary artist, and excitement is growing to see the finished product.

Early reactions to the upcoming Jaafar Jackson biopic, Michael, are surfacing online, with critics suggesting it will be a captivating cinematic experience slated for release in early 2026. Liam Crowley from ScreenRant called the film “why we go to the movies,” highlighting the flawlessly recreated songs and praising the performances of Colman Domingo, suggesting it’s best enjoyed with a crowd. Hunter Bolding of That Hashtag Show applauded Jackson and Domingo’s “smashing performances,” though felt the ending wasn’t quite as strong. Overall, he described the film as “fascinating and fitting” for a tribute to the legendary entertainer.

Simon Thompson of The Credits described Jackson’s acting as ‘flawless’ and completely believable as his uncle. He particularly appreciated the script’s careful attention to detail, memorable recreations of famous scenes, and balance of drama and humor. Junior Felix, editor-in-chief of That Hashtag Show, was even more enthusiastic, calling the film one of the best music biopics he’d ever seen and strongly recommending it, praising both Jackson and Domingo’s performances.

Entertainment Affair previewed a visually stunning and emotionally resonant portrayal of Michael Jackson’s life, highlighted by a remarkable performance from his nephew. According to Discussing Film’s Andrew Salazar, the filmmakers avoided simply recreating Jackson’s biography. Instead, they successfully showed his deep loneliness, presenting both his strengths and weaknesses honestly.

Early reviews for the movie Michael are positive, especially considering the filmmakers significantly reworked the original ending. This seems like a smart move, as the film is getting a much better reception than recent music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. Lionsgate appears to have found the right balance, showing both the difficult parts of Michael Jackson’s life and his achievements as an artist. While it’s too early to know how audiences will react, the reviews suggest the film could be a big success when it’s released.

Michael will debut in theaters in the United States and most other countries on Apr. 24, 2026.

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2026-04-11 01:19