Is Michael Jackson Really Good?

“Hee hee!” A familiar sound and voice I heard from the radio. Even though I was half paying attention, I knew exactly who it was in that instance. That tiny vocal sound that’s impossible to copy without embarrassing yourself belonged to the King of Pop–Michael Jackson. It’s strange how fast his music grabs a room even now–16 years after his death. Doesn’t matter if you grew up during the Thriller era or discovered him through various online clips on social media, his influence on the world is just inconceivable.
The new “Michael” (2026) isn’t just another music biopic. It feels more like a giant cultural argument disguised as a film. Because as soon as you walk out of that theater, one question arises and it is: “Was Michael Jackson that big?” And honestly, I would definitely blame you if you don’t know who the King of Pop is. Even people who don’t actively listen to Michael Jackson still know his most iconic songs. “Billie Jean” would occasionally play at your supermarket store and even “Beat it” is a song used in most movies end credits. The movie reminded people that Michael was not just a singer but rather a performance.
One thing the film seems to land a bullseye on is that audiences miss larger than life entertainers. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew and the cast for Michael, has gotten a lot of attention for how closely he captures the energy, movements, and voice of his uncle. That nostalgic factor is a huge part of the film. People don’t just miss Michael, but rather they miss the era where pop stars felt untouchable and unfathomable.
Nevertheless, Michael Jackson was also in the light for some dark controversies. It’s undeniably unavoidable for such a famous celebrity. A lot of criticism around the movie centers whether it cushions or avoids any darker parts of his life such as the abuse allegations and the legal controversies. Several reports noted that the film mostly focused on his rise through the 1980s and avoided any deep scandal–and that’s why some people have mixed feelings about it. This circles back to a philosophical question of whether art should be separated from the artist or not. For many, it is possible, but for others, absolutely not.
Still, if we’re talking strictly about the music performance and cultural impact–Michael (2026) is definitely worth watching. It’s probably one of the greatest forms of entertainment ever within our decade. The movie brings back the energy, spectacle, and larger than life feeling that modern pop culture sometimes feels missing while also pushing viewers to think about the complicated legacy the King of Pop left behind. Whether you walk away as a bigger fan or more of a curious feline, Michael should definitely be on your top bucket list of movies to watch.