Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Debuts With A Dismal Rotten Tomatoes Score

InnovationGamingMichael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Debuts With A Dismal Rotten Tomatoes ScoreByPaul Tassi,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. News and opinion about video games, television, movies and the internet.Follow AuthorApr 21, 2026, 10:18am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.MichaelLionsgateThe idea of a Michael Jackson biopic where he’s played by his own, similar-looking nephew seemed like an interesting experiment. Unfortunately, it’s a failed one.Critic reviews have come in for Michael, the film in question, and it is being panned almost universally, with a disastrous 26% Rotten Tomatoes score. That’s with dozens of critics chiming in, not just a handful, and that makes it one of the worst-rated biopics in recent memory. Among other recent ones:A Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan, played by Timothy Chalamet) – 79%Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) – 97%Priscilla (played by Cailee Spaeny) – 84%The Smashing Machine (Mark Kerr, played by Dwayne Johnson) – 71%Christy (Christy Martin, played by Sydney Sweeney) – 67%Deliver Me From Nowhere (Bruce Springsteen, played by Jeremy Allen White) – 61%The Apprentice (Donald Trump, played by Sebastian Stan) – 72%The Iron Claw (The Von Erich Family) – 89%Ferrari (Enzo Ferrari, played by Adam Driver) – 73%As you can see, Michael is below all of them, and is the company of:Back to Black (Amy Winehouse, played by Marisa Abela) – 35%Reagan (Ronald Regan, played by Dennis Quaid) – 18%MichaelRotten TomatoesJafaar Jackson is likely the least-known name on this entire list, despite his famous last name, though he’s supported by the likes of Miles Teller, Nia Long and back-to-back Best Actor Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. And it’s directed by Training Day’s Antoine Fuqua.But it just did not pan out. The musical and dance numbers are being praised, but at the expense of many critics saying that’s a...