The Jackson family clapped back after Michael Jackson’s biopic debuted with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 23%.
Michael’s nephew Taj Jackson (Tito Jackson’s son) tweeted:
“Sorry media, u don’t get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was. The public gets to watch this movie… they will decide for themselves. And you can’t handle that.”
Taj’s brother, TJ, wrote: “I’m going to the theater in a few hours to see a movie I’ve seen several times. Why? Because I’m proud. I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to be masked in the electrifying energy that will be in that theater for nothing.”
“Michael” stars the late pop icon’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the 29-year-old son of Jermaine Jackson, in the title role. Michael opens in theaters nationwide on Friday.
Critics bashed the film as “boring,” and “awful.”
But Michael’s fans plan to fill every seat at every theater on Friday.
Colman Domingo shows off some dance moves at the Michael premiere. ?? pic.twitter.com/dDshrT0IdX
— Distinct Post. (@DistinctPost) April 21, 2026
Michael also stars Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson, and Larenz Tate as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.
Juliano Krue Valdi plays young Michael Jackson. The movie documents the King of Pop’s journey from Gary Indiana as the 9-year-old lead singer of The Jackson 5 through his solo career as an adult.
The movie ends with a title card promising more to come.
Watch the new teaser for Michael. Starring Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo. In theaters April 24, 2026. ? https://t.co/O2vqxisDYG pic.twitter.com/BSMwm2Zu20
— moviefone (@moviefone) November 6, 2025
Michael is tracking to open with $65-70 million in one day ticket sales and $85-$105 million in weekend sales.
Jaafar was wildly good in #MichaelMovie I wish they’d made a better movie because you’ll never find a better Michael. Script and edit was all over the place. Not enough context given to major moments. Ending was abrupt. Using Man in the Mirror instead of Bad could’ve saved it. pic.twitter.com/lajU3KrA41
— Damien Shields (@DamienShields) April 22, 2026
the michael movie was soooo good!!! DON’T LISTEN TO THE HATERS I WAS DANCING THE WHOLE TIME
— twicehive industries ? (@ungodlyvivi) April 22, 2026
there is no way I waited YEARS for the micheal movie to come out just for reviews to say its boring and bad
— ????? (@hellzbellz9999) April 22, 2026
I've never been the one to care about Rotten Tomatoes ratings anyways. ?
Come Friday, my family and I will be going to see Micheal. ??— ????? (@aizen_onchain) April 22, 2026
MICHAEL is now tracking to surpass OPPENHEIMER ($82M) to become the highest-grossing opening for biopic of ALL TIME.
The King of Pop movie is making $85M-$105M this weekend domestically. pic.twitter.com/vfVSBlSGng
— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) April 21, 2026
