Michael First Reactions: What Critics Are Saying About Michael Jackson Biopic

The first reviews for Michael are in, and critics aren’t exactly thrilled with the music biopic. While the movie is still tracking for a huge opening, which isn’t surprising, the critical reception has been damning, to say the least.

While the movie has been subject to controversy for glossing over the more contentious aspects of Michael Jackson’s life, the major complaints are largely rooted in its overall execution. Considering music biopics already have a less-than-stellar reputation, this one appears to do little to rise above the genre’s already low standards.

Michael Fails to Escape the Music Biopic Curse

Music biopics, for the most part, tend to rely on an overwhelmingly predictable formula, often shaped to secure estate approval and capitalize on fans’ nostalgia.

While there have been exceptions, the genre rarely offers anything truly refreshing, and the same appears to be the case for Michael, at least as far as the majority of critics are concerned.

IndieWire‘s Kate Erbland described the movie as glossy, sanitized and dull, which sums up the consensus surrounding many run-of-the-mill music biopics. Robert Daniels of Rogerebert.com described the movie as a “filmed playlist in search of a story”.

The Guardian‘s Peter Bradshaw was more critical of the movie for being bland and uninspired, adding that it’s “rammed with every music-movie cliche, an almost mute supporting cast and a Michael who only produces endless smiley blandness, this is a frustratingly shallow film”.

IGN‘s  Siddhant Adlakha also called the movie “really, really bad” and added that the movie makes the cardinal sin of making Jackson, one of the most popular and controversial figures of the 20th century, utterly boring.

What Does Michael‘s Critical Reception Mean for Its Box Office?

The movie is currently projected to deliver a worldwide opening of $150 million, including a potential $65-70 million domestic opening, the biggest for a music biopic (via Deadline). And given that the budget reportedly stands at $200 million, it’d need to make around $500 million to break even per the unspoken box office rule.

But going by the legs of The Super Mario Galaxy, which has fallen short of its predecessor despite delivering similar opening figures, the critical reception could hinder its box office gross in the long run. Only time will tell whether Michael ends up being front-loaded with weaker legs due to the critical response.

That said, for diehard fans of MJ and those who simply enjoy his music, it could still hold appeal, as most seem to be in agreement that Jaafar Jackson is undoubtedly the biggest highlight of the movie.

Are you excited for the movie? Comment below!

Michael will open in theaters on April 24, 2026 (USA).