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# 'Michael' Is the Biggest Music Biopic Ever Made
- URL: https://www.zilck.com/michael-is-the-biggest-music-biopic-ever-made/
- Published: 2026-04-26T21:51:16.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-26T21:51:16.000Z
- Description: Made on a reported budget of approximately $155 million, the film is an undeniable visual spectacle.
- Author: Zilck Team
- Tags: Movies & TV

The King of Pop has finally returned to the big screen. *Michael*, the long-awaited biopic about Michael Jackson's life, hit theaters and IMAX on **April 24, 2026** — and audiences showed up in massive numbers. But while the box office numbers are breaking records, the critical reception is anything but unanimous.

## A Star-Studded, Big-Budget Production

Directed by Antoine Fuqua (*Training Day*) and distributed by Lionsgate, [*Michael* ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael%5F%282026%5Ffilm%29?ref=zilck.com)is a cinematic event years in the making. The film traces Jackson's journey from his childhood in Gary, Indiana, through his years as the lead of the Jackson 5, to the iconic *Bad* tour of 1988\. Jackson is portrayed by his real-life nephew, **Jaafar Jackson**, in a remarkable film debut, with young **Juliano Krue Valdi** playing Michael as a child. The supporting cast includes **Miles Teller**, **Colman Domingo**, and **Nia Long** as Joe and Katherine Jackson.

Made on a reported budget of approximately [**$155 million**](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/michael-box-office-eyes-2026s-first-100m-opening-the-worldwide-total-needed-for-a-sequel/?ref=zilck.com), the film is an undeniable visual spectacle. Recreations of iconic moments — from the *Thriller* video shoot to the legendary *Motown 25* "Billie Jean" performance — have been widely praised as genuinely electrifying.

## Breaking Box Office Records

Despite mixed critical reviews, audiences couldn't stay away. *Michael* grossed nearly **$40 million on its opening day alone** and is projected to earn between[ **$90 million and $100 million**](https://www.inkl.com/news/michael-set-for-second-biggest-box-office-opening-weekend-of-2026?ref=zilck.com)over its opening weekend — positioning it as the second-biggest domestic opening of 2026, trailing only *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*. Globally, the film has already set single-day box office records for a biopic in France, Brazil, the U.K., Italy, and Australia.

On audience-driven platforms, the film is resonating strongly: it holds a **7.6/10 on IMDb** and a **3.6/5 on Letterboxd**.

## Critics vs. Audiences: A Divided Room

Here's where things get complicated. Critics have been far less enthusiastic. *Michael* currently sits at a **Metacritic score of 39** — "generally unfavorable" — with only 18% of professional critics giving it a positive review. The BBC called it *"a bland and barely competent daytime TV movie,"* criticizing its removal of *"everything that could be considered dramatic"*. The New York Times summarized the problem succinctly: the film *"leaves too much unsaid"*.

The central controversy surrounds the film's deliberate choice to end in 1988 — five years before the first child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson emerged. [One industry source](https://radaronline.com/p/michael-jackson-biopic-criticism-whitewash-claims/?ref=zilck.com) was blunt: *"It feels like a deliberate effort to sidestep the most difficult chapters — audiences are left with spectacle rather than substance"*. The film was produced in cooperation with the Jackson estate, raising questions about editorial independence.

Star [**Colman Domingo**](https://ew.com/colman-domingo-defends-michael-against-claim-it-whitewashed-singers-life-11956474?ref=zilck.com) pushed back on the criticism, explaining: *"The film spans the '60s to 1988... We focus on the creation of Michael. It's a personal portrayal of who Michael is."* He also teased that a potential sequel could explore later events.

## The Performances Deserve Praise

Amid the debate, one thing critics and audiences agree on is that **Jaafar Jackson is extraordinary**. [MovieFreak.com](http://moviefreak.com/michael-2026-movie-review/?ref=zilck.com) wrote that he *"balances open-hearted, childlike innocence with a mournfully somber internalized pathos"* — and that he *"deserves a far better film"* given the quality of his work. His casting was a masterstroke: who better to channel the King of Pop than someone who grew up in his orbit?

## The Verdict

*Michael* is a paradox — a technically dazzling, emotionally crowd-pleasing experience built on a foundation of deliberate omissions. Whether you view it as a loving tribute or a sanitized PR exercise will likely depend on how much of the full Michael Jackson story you expect it to tell. One thing is certain: this conversation is just getting started, and a sequel seems all but inevitable.

*Michael* is now playing in theaters and IMAX nationwide.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a3/28/a3280dcb-1c7d-4319-b381-3cd1a47b463a/content/images/2026/04/MV5BZDVjMTI2ODktMTBhNy00NDM1LWJhNGYtNGMxM2FiYWQ0MTM1XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UX1080_.jpg)

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