Show summary Hide summary
Jaafar Jackson just delivered a stunning breakthrough performance in his film debut. The Michael Jackson biopic opened today to $31 million worldwide and already split critics sharply. Despite mixed reviews, audiences are showing up in massive numbers.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Jaafar Jackson: Michael’s nephew starring in his acting debut, age 31
- Release Date: April 24, 2026, directed by Antoine Fuqua
- International Box Office: $31 million+ in foreign markets alone
- Rotten Tomatoes: 38% from critics, 96% from verified audiences
Jaafar Jackson Channels His Uncle With Uncanny Accuracy
The most consistent praise across reviews targets Jaafar Jackson‘s magnetic performance. Critics universally celebrate his ability to capture Michael Jackson‘s mannerisms, dance moves, and stage presence with stunning precision. According to Deadline, Jackson “channels Uncle Michael in uncanny ways and simply sells this performance with all the right dance moves and sharp dramatic talent.” USA Today hailed him as a “new star,” giving the film three stars out of four.
Even harsh reviewers couldn’t fault the family connection. Jaafar doesn’t perform his own vocals, instead lip-syncing to Michael’s remastered tracks like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller.” The choice works beautifully. Screen Rant called his performance “masterful,” and social media exploded with praise for his resemblance to the King of Pop.
Michael cast delivers film debut as Jackson biopic opens today with mixed reviews, $31M worldwide gross
Miles Teller sells stake in canned cocktail company for $325M, says he won’t retire from acting
Critics Savage The Script, Audiences Love It Anyway
The film itself drew damning reactions from major outlets. Roger Ebert gave it one star, calling it a “plastic jukebox picture” with “cloying moments.” The Guardian described it as “rammed with every music-movie cliche.” Empire magazine labeled it a “deeply generic music biopic,” while IndieWire called it “glossy, sanitized, and surprisingly dull.” The consensus complaint centers on the movie’s whitewashed approach.
Yet audiences tell a different story entirely. Rotten Tomatoes verified viewers awarded the film a stunning 96% approval rating with 4.7 out of 5 stars. This massive gap signals that casual moviegoers appreciate the feel-good journey more than critics demand artistic depth. The film earned its $31 million international opening by connecting with general audiences.
Box Office Explodes Despite Critical Collapse
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, “Michael” covered the Jackson 5 era through 1988 and Michael’s early solo success. The supporting cast includes Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Laura Harrier. The biopic arrived with major expectations, tracking for record music biopic openings.
As of late April 24, the film has accumulated $44 million worldwide, making it a genuine phenomenon at a time when critics were slamming it. The $31 million international haul outpaced expectations slightly. This disconnect proves that star power and fan devotion trump critical consensus in the opening weekend.
| Detail | Information |
| Lead Actor | Jaafar Jackson (film debut) |
| Director | Antoine Fuqua |
| Release Date | April 24, 2026 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 38% Critics, 96% Audience |
“Because this guy channels Uncle Michael in uncanny ways, and simply sells this performance with all the right dance moves and sharp dramatic talent to make us believe Michael Jackson is once again with us.”
— Pete Hammond, Deadline
A Risky Strategy To Avoid Controversy Backfires With Reviewers
The biopic made a deliberate choice to exclude Janet Jackson and avoid any mention of Michael’s legal troubles. Producer strategy favored a feel-good narrative over complicated truths. Critics felt cheated by this sanitization, with multiple reviewers noting the plastic, manufactured quality of the presentation.
The BBC declared it “a bland and barely competent daytime TV movie.” IGN called the film “really, really bad,” adding: “It makes Michael Jackson utterly boring.” Variety found it merely “effective,” while The Telegraph labeled it a “skin-tingling whitewash.” Despite these blasts, the film continued accumulating box office momentum.
Can A Film Succeed When Critics And Audiences Completely Disagree?
The “Michael” opening reveals something profound about modern moviegoing. Families and devoted Jackson fans are seeing a celebration of the King of Pop‘s artistry and legacy. Critics are evaluating it as a work of cinema. These audiences want different things, and neither is wrong.
Jaafar Jackson’s breakthrough performance alone might justify the ticket price for general audiences. The question moving forward is whether word-of-mouth from happy viewers will sustain the film’s momentum, or if the accumulating negative buzz from major outlets will eventually depress the box office. Early numbers suggest the fan connection trumps critical opinion decisively.
Sources
- Deadline – Michael Jackson biopic reviews and box office reporting
- Rotten Tomatoes – Critical scores and audience ratings
- USA Today – Film review and Jaafar Jackson performance praise
