Michael Jackson fans aren't letting Netflix win this one
Rolling Out
Last updated: June 5, 2026
A biopic about Michael Jackson has achieved remarkable box office success, nearing a billion dollars globally. Simultaneously, Netflix released a docuseries examining allegations against Jackson and his 2005 trial. This has sparked intense fan backlash, accusing Netflix of deliberately timing the release to undermine the biopic's narrative.
- The Michael Jackson biopic, released April 24, has grossed $870 million globally and is positioned to be the highest-grossing biopic ever. A digital release is scheduled for June 9, with a potential theatrical run in Japan.
- On June 3, Netflix released "Michael Jackson: The Verdict," a docuseries focusing on allegations and the 2005 child molestation trial where Jackson was acquitted on all counts.
- Social media response was immediate, with fans criticizing Netflix for the docuseries' timing, arguing it was a deliberate attempt to influence public opinion against Jackson while his biopic was performing strongly.
- Fans also criticized the docuseries for allegedly recycling disputed claims and using selective editing to portray Jackson negatively, leading some to call for boycotts or cancel subscriptions.
- The intense fan reaction reflects their long-standing dedication to defending Jackson's legacy, which the docuseries' release immediately activated.
- The 2005 trial resulted in Jackson being found not guilty on all 14 child molestation charges, a verdict that has not prevented ongoing scrutiny, such as the 2019 HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland."
- The recurring nature of these allegations is problematic for fans because Jackson cannot defend himself, leaving his estate to represent his legacy against ongoing public re-examination.
- The "Michael" biopic, made with the estate's cooperation and starring Jaafar Jackson, represents the authorized version of Jackson's life and is seen by fans as a public affirmation of his legacy.
- The biopic's financial success challenges the idea of a permanently declining reputation for Jackson.
- Netflix's docuseries complicates this narrative, creating a cultural conflict where audiences are presented with two opposing versions of Michael Jackson.
