Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’: First Reactions

The King of Pop is back! Well, kinda. The first reactions to the much-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic Michael have hit social media after the film’s star-studded U.S. premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night. The Antoine Fuqua -directed feature actually had its world premiere in Berlin on April 10, but social media reaction from American press has been limited. Full critics reviews for Michael drop on April 22, with the film released in theaters worldwide on April 24. The first official biopic of the late Michael Jackson , Michael tells the story of the music phenomenon from his early Motown days performing with his brothers in the Jackson 5 to his breakout as a solo artist. There has been much speculation about whether the film will include the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s singular life. The long-gestating Lionsgate film notably has the rights to use Jackson’s music, and is produced by Graham King, the man behind the four-time Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody which made a massive $911 million at the global box office. Michael is led by Jaafar Jackson (Jackson’s nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson) who plays the singer during his transition from a member of an immensely popular boy band to becoming the era-defining solo artist the world fell in love with. The young Michael is played Juliano Krue Valdi. The cast also includes Colman Domingo as Michael’s father Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson and Miles Teller as John Branca, an entertainment lawyer and manager. Lauren Farrier plays the music exec Suzanne de Passe, Kendrick Sampson plays legendary producer Quincy Jones, Larenz Tate plays the all-powerful Motown chief Berry Gordy, Liv Symone plays singer Gladys Knight and Kevin Shinick plays TV legend Dick Clark. Michael’s brothers, both older and younger versions are played by: Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine) and Jayden Harville (young Jermaine); Tre Horton (Marlon) and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (young Marlon); Rhyan Hill (Tito) and Judah Edwards (young Tito); Joseph David-Jones (Jackie) and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (young Jackie); with Jessica Sula playing Michael’s older sister La Toya Jackson. Janet Jackson does not feature in the film. See the early social media reaction to Michael below. Jaafar Jackson is tremendous in MICHAEL, truly making you forget he isn’t the real thing. An off-the-charts performance. The rest of the movie is about as generic as you can get. Fans will love the musical performances, but there’s sadly no humanity behind them. pic.twitter.com/Fxax2ZHtID — Daniel Howat (@howatdk) April 21, 2026 I usually enjoy a good music biopic but Michael is so boring and one-note, maybe because we already know MJ's story and this is pretty much the Colman Domingo show... for the diehard fans only. — Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW) April 21, 2026 Just saw the Michael movie. Tough. — Van Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) April 21, 2026 Media película pensando que la magia negra de los biopics musicales ya no tenía efecto en mí... hasta que llegó el número de Beat It, Michael se echó tres pasitos con flow y volví a ser la perra de los biopics musicales. Qué maldita leyenda es Michael Jackson, carajo. https://t.co/U10hkgJTII — Carlos Camacho | CHICO DUNE 🌓 (@AyCarlosCamacho) April 21, 2026 MICHAEL is an extraordinarily sanitized, overly audience-friendly music biopic that makes Bohemian Rhapsody look like a complex, nuanced character study. With the dramatic depth of a Wikipedia article, the film introduces but fails to even remotely explore fascinating aspects of... pic.twitter.com/eCPTUTmVeX — The HoloFiles – Movie/TV News & Reviews (@theholofiles) April 21, 2026 #MichaelMovie is the best musical biopic I’ve ever seen, and it’s fitting for arguably the greatest performer of all time. What separates this film is the fact that Jaafar is LITERALLY MICHAEL. It’s insane. Gorgeously shot, beautifully performed, but the music is the legacy.... pic.twitter.com/xARVCiUAAD — Jones Vibes (@jonesvibesonly) April 21, 2026 MICHAEL is a must-see celebration of the King of Pop. Jafaar Jackson’s spectacular spot-on recreations of MJ are a highlight in a powerful, albeit safe movie about a singular, legendary musician. Colman Domingo is phenomenal. Deserves to be seen with a crowd. #MichaelMovie pic.twitter.com/D6lrEbIgdY — Jonathan Sim @ CinemaCon! (@TheJonathanSim) April 21, 2026 Jaafar Jackson embodies MJ to perfection. The performances feel so real, you forget you’re watching a movie, it feels like you’re at a Michael Jackson concert.Musical nostalgia at its best. See it in IMAX for the full experience! #michaelmovie pic.twitter.com/jVwrVjvhNz — DapperDrFeel (@DapperDrFeel) April 21, 2026 Not only is #MichaelMovie the best musicial biopic of all time. It’s a reminder that Michael Jackson brings everyone together. Jaafar Jackson is Michael Jackson and Coleman Domingo is terrific. Cried Multiple times this an experience not just a movie. pic.twitter.com/hG6PdQDWmO — movietalkwithbrock (@movietalkwithb) April 21, 2026 #MichaelMovie brought me back to the awe & wow I felt when first discovering Michael’s music as a kid. Jaafar Jackson nails the role. Colman Domingo is a chilling presence. Fan bias aside it can feel safe/surface level while just playing the greatest hits. Still really enjoyed it pic.twitter.com/22r1vaucl4 — Cris Parker (@3CFilmss) April 21, 2026 #michaelmovie is easily one of the most entertaining biopics in recent memory. Jaafar Jackson is an unreal revelation, embodying this music icon in every way imaginable. The music sequences vibrate, Domingo is an unbridled force of nature, and to say it will please fans of the... pic.twitter.com/L33hju7Oyl — Tom Chatalbash (@TomChatalbash) April 21, 2026 Jaafar Jackson is a star to watch, but for a biopic about MJ breaking free from his father and trying to express himself creatively, #MichaelMovie feels controlled to the point that we can practically see the heads of his estate pulling the strings. pic.twitter.com/MI6v05oJhd — Nick Spake (Cartoon Contender) (@NSpake) April 21, 2026 I’m still gathering my thoughts, but the #michaelmovie was incredible. Jaafar, Colman, Nia... Academy Award worthy. If you go in looking for a caricature of Michael Jackson, you will be “disappointed” because that’s not who he was. If you go in with an open mind, you’ll walk away... — Jael Rucker (@RuckerJael) April 21, 2026 MICHAEL presents an overly audience-friendly take on Michael Jackson’s life story (only up until the release of “Bad”) that will work for the masses and devoted fans eager to watch one of the world’s largest entertainers at the peak of his popularity “play the hits” and find the... pic.twitter.com/CS2Q1HpbGP — Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) April 17, 2026 You won’t stop until you get enough of #MichaelMovie , an absolute thriller of a movie that speaks to the human nature of Michael Jackson. It’ll have you smiling throughout and tearing up when you need to and is arguably one of the best musical biopics. It doesn’t do anything... pic.twitter.com/FhZ5hz262d — Christopher Rates It 🦦 (@LuminousDagger) April 20, 2026 Jaafar Jackson delivers a truly remarkable performance in #Michael , embodying the spirit, the ambition and the physicality of Michael Jackson in a way that's dazzling to watch. The kid is so good, and longtime fans will adore this film. Director Antoine Fuqua delivers a fun,... pic.twitter.com/owfYimBWCH — Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 10, 2026 #Michael features two absolutely smashing performances, Jaafar Jackson is ELECTRIC in his role, while Colman Domingo is monstrous as Joe Jackson. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but the journey there is fascinating and fitting of the greatest entertainer of our time. pic.twitter.com/SlZITFVrn6 — Hunter Bolding (@HunterBVideo) April 10, 2026