- Primary Subject: Michael Jackson: The Verdict
- Key Update: Loyal fans have aggressively review-bombed the new Netflix docuseries on Rotten Tomatoes over its portrayal of the late singer's 2005 trial.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 8, 2026
- Quick Answer: Fans are review-bombing the Netflix docuseries because they claim it unfairly tarnishes Michael Jackson’s image by manipulating footage and ignoring his full legal acquittal.
Michael Jackson’s fans have fired back, giving Netflix’s docuseries Michael Jackson: The Verdict a wave of review bombing on Rotten Tomatoes.
Released on June 3, the three-part docuseries revisits the 2005 criminal trial of the King of Pop after he was charged with molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo at his Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California.
As Jackson was ultimately acquitted, receiving a not-guilty verdict, it appears that fans are unhappy with this retelling.
Why is Michael Jackson: The Verdict Being Review-Bombed?
While critics may have given Michael Jackson: The Verdict a respectable 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing, its audience score is arguably a different story.
The show currently holds an abysmal 7% audience score and continues to drop as days go by–now sitting at just 0.9 out of 5.
Many have accused the Netflix series of tarnishing Michael Jackson’s image 19 years after he was found not guilty by the court.
Others say it is simply cashing in on the fame of one of the greatest artists who has ever lived, especially following the release of the Jaafar Jackson biopic Michael, which hit the big screen and earned a whopping $855 million at the worldwide box office.
“Trying to tarnish Michael’s image while the biopic is breaking records. Why didn't you drop out before ? An investigation which lasted 10 years without finding any proof of guilt. Awful,” Kenny A wrote.
“Unnecessary. Trying to continue to overturn a several-year-long FBI investigation with absolutely zero wrongdoing and zero evidence found, as well as completely ignoring the outcome of the trial with Michael Jackson’s full exoneration,” Anna W added.
“This is so one-sided. Plus, why are they making it seem like they don’t know whether MJ could be guilty or not? Like, what the heck? MJ was found NOT guilty already. There is nothing to decide—the court already decided he was NOT guilty. Plus, the way they cut the full clips out? That is very suspicious. Why not put the full clips? Ahh, I know—because they want you to hate MJ, and they know if they put the whole clips of MJ, he won’t look as suspicious. That’s why. All of this is just a money grab,” Paola M stressed.
Is Michael Jackson: The Verdict a Success Despite the Review Bombing?
Despite the review bombing, there is no denying that Michael Jackson: The Verdict has been a major success.
In fact, the series is currently the No. 1 TV show on Netflix in the United States, surpassing other new and recently added titles, including The Witness at No. 2 and The Four Seasons at No. 3 on the streamer’s daily Top 10 TV Shows chart for the region as of June 6.
According to FlixPatrol, which uses its own methodology to track streaming performance, The Verdict is also the No. 1 show on Netflix worldwide. The series has outperformed several other popular titles, including the Money Heist spinoff Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine, which ranks No. 3.
The docuseries has also reached the top spot in more than six dozen individual territories around the world, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
By the looks of it, both longtime fans and curious viewers have tuned in to the controversial docuseries regardless of how sharply it has divided opinion.
Indeed, despite the case having concluded nearly two decades ago, the allegations surrounding Michael Jackson continue to generate debate and remain a subject of widespread public interest today.
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