With the new hit film “Michael,” public interest in iconic pop idol Michael Jackson has resurfaced in mainstream media long after his tragic death on June 25, 2009. The film was released on April 24, 2026, and focuses on Jackson’s rise to fame and journey to becoming one of the most influential performers in history. It primarily follows his early childhood to the peak of his career and concludes with his performance at Wembley Stadium in England in 1988 during the Bad Tour.
“I haven’t watched the film myself, but I’ve seen so much hype on social media about how excited people are about seeing ‘Michael’ in theaters. I’ve seen the trailer and some clips on TikTok, and I think this movie is gonna be successful,” sophomore Nathan Yoo said.
The film was originally intended to cover the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson and the sexual abuse allegations involving Jordan Chandler. However, due to legal restrictions tied to the 1994 legal agreement, this portion of his life was not included in the final version of the film.
“I’ve heard about Michael Jackson being a weirdo, with the allegations of sexual assault and that kind of stuff, but I’m pretty sure he was proven innocent,” seventh grader Sophie Liu said. “I’m glad they didn’t include this topic about him in the movie, since in my opinion, it would ruin the cheerful mood the movie concluded with.”
Michael Jackson is portrayed in the movie by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, and fans have responded positively regarding his performance as the King of Pop. Some fans even regard his performance as “perfection.” Jaafar has stated in interviews that he studied Michael’s tendency to rehearse the same moves for hours, which he incorporated into his own preparation. Many viewers have noted the strong resemblance between the two.
“At first, I’d thought they [Jaafar and Michael] looked nothing alike, but after seeing certain scenes and angles, they showed unmistakable resemblance. Jaafar successfully captures the essence of Michael’s appearance,” social studies teacher Dr. D’Orsogna said.
The film includes recreations of several of Michael Jackson’s most iconic performances, including “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “Thriller” and “Beat It.” Many fans have noted that Jaafar puts significant effort into capturing the energy and precision of Jackson’s performances.
“I’m not gonna lie, I lowkey wasn’t expecting much, but the dude actually played Michael Jackson pretty well. The ‘Beat It’ choreography was really good, and the ‘Thriller’ recreation was pretty accurate,” junior Aayan Fazal said.
Despite praise for Jaafar Jackson’s performance, some critics have described the film as underwhelming and similar to a commercialized project. Regardless, general audiences have praised its concert-like atmosphere and emotional focus. The film also highlights the pressure Jackson faced in his pursuit of perfection and his impact on global pop culture as a Black artist.
The film has also performed strongly at the box office, earning roughly $850 million worldwide since its release.
Overall, “Michael” is expected to have a lasting impact on how Michael Jackson is remembered. It emphasizes his influence on music and culture, his difficult upbringing and his intense dedication to performance. While some critics remain unimpressed, many fans have praised the film for its performances and its tribute to the legacy of the King of Pop.
