Michael reviews are flashy and nostalgic but ultimately a little hollow.

Early reviews praise Jaafar Jackson's performance and the film's musical staging, while many critics say the screenplay is selective and emotionally thin; Michael opens in theaters April 24, 2026.

New reviews for Antoine Fuqua's biopic Michael were published ahead of the film's April 24 theatrical release. The movie stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and covers the performer's life through the end of the 1980s. Critics commonly praise the musical sequences, stagecraft and Jaafar Jackson's portrayal. At the same time, many reviewers find the narrative selective, sanitized, or lacking deeper exploration of Jackson's controversies. What critics report: - Jaafar Jackson's performance and the concert sequences receive widespread praise for voice, dance and charisma. - Reviewers highlight production design, choreography and cinematography in the performance scenes as strengths. - Several critics describe the screenplay as selective, occasionally sanitized, and light on challenging biography. - Responses to supporting performances vary: Colman Domingo is praised by some reviewers and critiqued by others. - Visual effects used to replicate crowds and certain CGI animals, including Bubbles, are often called distracting. Summary: Early reviews present Michael as a visually bold, performance-driven biopic that is likely to satisfy viewers drawn to Jackson's music while leaving questions about its narrative depth. The film's April 24, 2026 theatrical release will show how audiences respond to the balance between spectacle and storytelling.