The documentary is the followup to Leaving Neverland (2019), which followed two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused by the American singer Michael Jackson. Leaving Neverland 2 covers their attempt to take their allegations to trial.[2]
Unlike the first film, HBO was uninvolved due to a legal dispute with the Jackson estate, which resulted in U.S. courts ruling that Leaving Neverland violated a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract related to a HBO concert special for Jackson's Dangerous World Tour.[3][4][5] In October 2024, the case was dismissed by both parties resulting in Max removing the film without the possibility of returning to the platform.[6]
Release
Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson premiered on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2025.[7]Little Dot Studios acquired the U.S and Canada rights, and the film premiered at Real Stories on YouTube.[3][8][9]
Reception
Unlike its predecessor, the documentary received negative reviews. In The Guardian, Jack Seale gave Leaving Neverland 2 three out of five, writing that its affecting points were already covered in Leaving Neverland and that it suffered from the lack of representation from the Jackson estate, who declined to participate. He concluded that Reed should have waited until the final trial before making the film.[10]
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