Michael Jackson Netflix documentary nearly got pulled, report says
Variety says Netflix executives weighed shelving Michael Jackson: The Verdict days before launch, though Netflix denies outside pressure changed plans.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
The Michael Jackson Netflix documentary Michael Jackson: The Verdict almost did not make it to air, with senior Netflix figures considering whether to shelve it about a week before release, according to Variety.
The three-part series, directed by Nick Green and produced by Candle True Stories, went live on June 3 as scheduled. It revisits Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, where the singer was acquitted of all charges, including child molestation.
Variety reported that two people familiar with the situation said Netflix executives became nervous after the project had already been announced. The main concern, according to the report, was possible legal action from the Michael Jackson estate, along with anger from Jackson supporters.
Netflix pushed back on that account. In a statement to Variety, a company spokesperson said descriptions of the streamer reconsidering the release or changing course because of outside pressure were inaccurate, and noted that the series launched on schedule and spent three weeks in Netflix’s Top 10.
Why did Netflix consider pulling Michael Jackson: The Verdict?
According to Variety, the anxiety centered on the estate’s history of legal action against documentaries about Jackson. The report said Netflix was especially concerned about the estate’s financial strength and the risk of a lawsuit.
The estate previously sued HBO over the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, and the film was removed from HBO Max in 2024, Variety reported. The estate also sued ABC in 2018 over The Last Days of Michael Jackson, with the two sides later reaching a settlement outside court.
Variety said Netflix had not heard from the Jackson estate as of its report. A spokesperson for the estate did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
The documentary includes testimony from people on different sides of the 2005 case. Variety reported that participants include longtime Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman, publicist Raymone Bain and a fan who left her job to attend the trial at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
Two jurors also appear in the series to discuss the verdict, according to the report. Gavin Arvizo, the accuser in the 2005 case, and his family did not take part.
The fan response was loud before and after release. Variety reported that a Change.org petition calling for Netflix to remove the series had drawn more than 188,000 signatures. The report also cited social media posts from fans claiming they canceled Netflix subscriptions over the documentary.
Audience and critic reactions split sharply. Variety reported that the show had a 7% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics had it at 82%.
Netflix also took unusual precautions around the rollout, according to Variety. The streamer announced the series only two weeks before launch, sent security briefings to people involved in production, used one dedicated Netflix email address for correspondence about the show and declined pre-release reviews and interviews with the filmmakers.
Whatever the nerves behind the scenes, the launch landed hard. Variety reported that Michael Jackson: The Verdict drew 17.8 million views in its first five days, reached No. 1 in 61 countries and entered the Top 10 in 89 countries.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.