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Late global icon Michael Jackson’s latest biopic, Michael, sparked headlines for outrageously poor ratings from media critics on Rotten Tomatoes. It drew even more attention after positive reviews from audience indicated a completely opposite picture. Check out Michael’s scores on the review platform:

Jaafar Jackson-starrer ‘Michael’ biopic scores big from paid previews on Rotten Tomatoes amid poor critics' reviews

Rotten Tomatoes

Antoine Fuqua’s latest directorial, Michael, based on the life of the late pop star, Michael Jackson, garnered overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. After its paid previews, viewers gave the biopic glowing reviews, painting a stark difference between legacy media and general audience.

After the film premiered in the US on Monday night, reviews started pouring in. The film opened to a disappointing 27% on Rotten Tomatoes and has gone up to 35% based on 99 reviews. It has grown to 40% based on 164 reviews. Fans reacted to the low rating and alleged that the critics are biased.

The film’s audience score went up recently. Shocking everyone, Michael scored a whopping 96% based on more than 1000 ratings.

According to the fans, the polarising scores from critics and audience indicate a discriminating outlook from media towards the late star. They slammed the critics, calling their reviews uneven and one-sided.

Many believed that the critics were sharing biased reviews deliberately. Some also said that they purposely slammed the biopic as they believe that the allegations against Jackson were true.

‘MICHAEL’ is Verified Hot on Rotten Tomatoes with an audience score of 95%. pic.twitter.com/bfIvLqvbzV

— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 23, 2026

Credit: X/PopBase

This might be the biggest L critics have ever taken pic.twitter.com/HpWIyW3esL

— 🖤 Buy Physical Media 🖤 (@VHSDVDBLURAY4K) April 23, 2026

Credit: X/VHSDVDBLURAY4K

Michael has now reached a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes with over 1,000 reviews, despite gaining 2x the amount of ratings today the score keeps going up pic.twitter.com/aBjmPZqpQH

— Quote (@Quote31490249) April 24, 2026

Credit: X/Quote31490249

Congrats to the entire “Michael” team. You all did an amazing job. From the production team to the actors to the staffers they all did their thing. Take a bow y’all. This is well deserved. #michaelmovie https://t.co/j0fw5MlXkN

— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) April 23, 2026

Credit: X/tjjackson

We are going to see a generational battle of General Audiences vs Legacy Media.

I’m not saying that #MICHAEL is cinema but this is just one of many, many examples of the Media trying to tarnish the life of Michael Jackson. This is forceful hatred from the media.

This film’s… https://t.co/nfjgBLFfXU

— MoviesThatMaher (@MoviesThatMaher) April 23, 2026

Credit: X/MoviesThatMaher

MICHAEL has officially surpassed ‘Elvis’ (94%) to become the audience’s highest-rated biopic ever on Rotten Tomatoes. pic.twitter.com/R3Csm9PWdB

— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) April 23, 2026

Credit: X/GlobalBoxOffice

It seems that the audience watching @michaelmovie is speaking loudly already in both audience ratings and ticket sales headed into the weekend. Now to see how much that WOM spreads and how high it can go. At the least, will smash the opening weekend record for a musical biopic. pic.twitter.com/GiGRhbYuAb

— EmpireCity Box Office (@EmpireCityBO) April 24, 2026

Credit: X/EmpireCityBO

FODA-SE OS CRÍTICOS!!!!
o filme está maravilhoso, oq importa é a nossa opinião, a opinião dos fãs, não desses fdp, MICHAEL FILME DO ANO!!!!! #michaelmovie #michaelfilme pic.twitter.com/F1jtxsp7GQ

— Jota Jackson 🕺🏻 (@Jotakoor) April 23, 2026

Credit: X/Jotakoor

Je viens de sortir de « Michael »… N’écoutez jamais les médias occidentaux sur les biopics afro.

Le film est INCROYABLE !! L’un des meilleurs biopics musicals que j’ai pu voir de ma vie (j’en ai vu pas mal) !

Et puis l’acting bordel l’acting !!!! Allez voir le film en VOSTFR pic.twitter.com/59gbigeBYZ

— That’s What She Said (@ItWasaGoodDay_) April 22, 2026

Credit: X/ItWasaGoodDay_

Helmed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the biopic features Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, alongside Miles Teller as John Branca, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones.

Michael dramatises the awe-striking rise of the pop star from his early days as a musical prodigy performing with Jackson 5. The film delves into his musical achievements that led him to become a musical icon in the 80s and 90s.

Social and lead images credits: Lionsgate Films, GK Films