Michael

Name: Michael
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Music, Musical
Released: April 24, 2026
Rating: 39
Cast: Colman Domingo, Jaafar Jackson, Juliano Valdi, Miles Teller, Nia Long

2026

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 50 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

No score yet

tbd

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

tbd	Your Score
tbd	User Score No score yet

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Michael: A Conversation With Director Antoine Fuqua (Featurette)

Now Playing: Michael: A Conversation With Director Antoine Fuqua (Featurette)

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: April 24, 2026

Starring: Colman Domingo, Jaafar Jackson, Juliano Valdi, Miles Teller, Nia Long

Summary: Michael tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some ofMichael tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.… Expand

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Music, Musical

See All Details and Credits

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Screen Rant Liz Declan

Apr 21, 2026

The finished product has more than justified the cost. From the casting to the costumes to the full-fledged concert performances, Michael lives up to the legendary status of its namesake. Read full review

David Rooney

Apr 21, 2026

The film leaves itself open to accusations of making Michael a saint, which will not sit well with the cancel crowd. If you are unwilling to separate the art from the artist, this will not be a movie for you. But for lifelong fans who cherish the music, the movie delivers. Simply as a celebration of Jackson’s songs and stagecraft, it’s phenomenal, shot by Dion Beebe with visual electricity in the performance sequences. The music has never sounded louder or better. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Apr 21, 2026

What could have been a layered, insightful portrait of the most complicated, significant figure in pop-culture history has been reduced to a supersized music video slash concert documentary, the man in its mirror more of a faded reflection than anything else. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Apr 21, 2026

Antoine Fuqua’s demi-biopic of Michael Jackson gives you the chimp, the llama, the giraffe … but not the elephant in the living room. It’s like a 127-minute trailer montage assembling every music-movie cliche you can think of: the producers’ astonishment in the recording studio, the tour bus, the billboard chart ascent, the meeting with the uncool corporate execs in their offices. Read full review

Phil de Semlyen

Apr 21, 2026

No one expected this long-delayed piece of Michael Jackson pop-aganda to lay bare the man behind the myths and myriad controversies in forensic style. And yet… this soft-ball character study of the King of Pop only doubles down on the former, while completely ignoring the latter, hitting all the usual dreary biopic beats along the way. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Apr 24, 2026

If you have an audience that doesn’t mind a story that includes lies, aversions, and omissions so long as it doesn’t get in the way of thinking too much about the songs they love and uncomfortable truths about the artist who created them, you don’t even have to put that much effort into what you’re making up. Read full review

Nicholas Barber

Apr 21, 2026

Whatever you think of Jackson, he was driven to create spectacular and innovative entertainment. And yet the film has none of that spirit. It was clearly intended as a tribute to him as a person, but it's a grievous insult to him as an artist. Read full review

SEE ALL 50 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

tbd

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

No reviews yet.