Days before Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, hit theaters, Rotten Tomatoes’ critic scores suggested it was a disaster. Now, general audiences outside of the Hollywood access media have had the chance to see and score the film for themselves. The difference in response is staggering.
Michael currently holds a 40% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it alongside Tim Burton’s infamous The Planet of the Apes remake and Ridley Scott’s much-reviled Hannibal. Meanwhile, audiences have been much more receptive to Michael, giving it a 96% from verified viewers.
Rotten Tomatoes review scores for Michael – Rotten Tomatoes
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It’s becoming a familiar trend among moviegoers to express some skepticism toward the scores from critics. The reaction to Michael only adds to the conversation.
Critics vs. Fans: A Familiar Divide
A quick look at the top critics’ reviews for Michael on Rotten Tomatoes shows a common theme. It is repeatedly described with terms such as superficial, safe, aimless, mechanical, and even “a snooze.” Praise for Jaafar Jackson‘s portrayal of his late uncle came with qualifiers, with critics claiming the film was “terrified to explore the interiority of its protagonist.”
It “will work just fine for fans who just want an uncomplicated ramble that plays all the hits,” wrote one critic.
The Rise of New Platforms
The framing of the Hollywood access media suggests that audiences—like critics—will demand more from the biopic. However, top reviews on Criticless, the audience-driven review platform, tell a different story. Michael currently holds a 79% “Rad” score with 26 voters, a number certain to rise by the end of the film’s theatrical run. One user wrote that “while it is not perfect it was certainly good. I liked how the movie played out similar to a greatest hits album.”
An image from Michael – YouTube, Universal Pictures
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Many reviews emphasized the same theme: “If you like Michael Jackson, go see this film in theaters. It was a wonderful experience!”
What critics at Rotten Tomatoes saw as shortcomings in Michael appear to be the elements audiences craved—music, nostalgia, and a heartfelt performance that didn’t dwell on the King of Pop’s darker controversies.
A Growing Pattern Online
Michael is hardly the first major film to showcase the divide between critics and audiences. It’s not even the first movie this year to do so. Just several weeks ago, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie received similarly split scores from critics and audiences. That film has since gone on to become a global hit. Comparatively, projects like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which received high critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, have often failed to gain traction with viewers.
Rotten Tomatoes scores for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Rotten Tomatoes
For over 15 years, Rotten Tomatoes has featured heavily in how films are marketed. The “Fresh” label has featured prominently in advertising, while a “Rotten” score is often treated as a mark of shame. Yet as more low-scoring films receive enthusiastic audience responses, platforms that amplify fan reactions will likely only become more influential.
While critics largely rejected Michael, fans are letting their voices be known. Word of mouth has always been the best marketing. If audiences begin to suspect that critics don’t share their interests and values, they may increasingly turn to one another instead—reshaping which voices carry weight and how success in Hollywood is ultimately defined.
What’s your opinion of these Michael reviews? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
