[Michael Jackson wax dummy. Photo Credit to Pixabay]

Lionsgate’s movie Michael has divided fans and critics since its premiere on April 24, 2026. 

This division is evident on the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, where the movie currently holds a high rating of 97% Verified Audience score compared to a 38% approval rating from critics as of June 25, 2026. 

For many fans of Michael Jackson, especially those who grew up during Jackson’s peak fame and stardom, the film primarily serves as a nostalgic memory and movie. 

“I grew up listening to him and my dad was the main fan,” said Joanne, a Long Island University student who visited the Manhattan theater to see the movie for a second time, adding, “We have all of his CDs, pictures, books, and vinyls.”

Rather than focusing on the factual side of the singer’s life, general audiences have praised the film for its high quality recreations of Jackson’s concerts and dance moves. 

Many fans noted that the movie captured the thrilling, high-energy feeling of a live Michael Jackson stage performance. 

Audience reviews frequently praised Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of his uncle, particularly his ability to reproduce Jackson’s movements and stage presence.

Social media has also captured this vibe, with one Tik-Tok clip showing moviegoers singing together with flashlights, with the caption, “30 minutes after the movie ended, people were still in the theater, singing, dancing, and people didn’t want to leave…And it kept going on for another 30 minutes.” 

Another video showed people hoisted up on each other’s shoulders as they sang and performed alongside the songs, demonstrating how audiences approached the film as a live concert.

In contrast, film critics have raised concerns about the movie’s accuracy regarding the facts of Jackson’s life. 

A primary criticism is that the movie completely ignores the controversies and legal issues that defined the latter part of his life. 

By sidestepping these crucial parts, critics argue that the film loses its historical credibility.  

Writing for the Telegraph, critic Robbie Collin stated, “It is simply not credible for a film to be about Michael Jackson without addressing, even obliquely, the accusations, controversies, and sadness that dogged his later life.”

Giving the film a mere one-star review, Clarisse Loughrey described Michael as a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab.”

Numerous reviewers have also criticized the movie for presenting a “sanitised” version of history. 

They felt that the movie failed to clearly show the inner struggles of Michael and said that the decision to end the movie in 1988 avoided more important parts of Michael’s life, including the 1993 allegations made by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, which then led to an out-of-court settlement with his father. 

They also noted that the film did not address the separate 2005 criminal trial involving different accusers, in which Michael Jackson was acquitted of all charges. 

Despite the negative critical reception, the film has achieved major commercial success.

As of July 1, 2026, Box Office Mojo reported that Michael had grossed approximately $977.6 million worldwide, including about $370.4 million domestically and $607.3 million internationally. 

Ultimately, despite harsh reviews from critics, the movie Michael continues to captivate audiences worldwide, bringing people together as they sing along to Michael Jackson’s iconic performances onscreen.