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Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson

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Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson
Title card
Directed byDan Reed
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Original language
English
Production
ProducersMarguerite Gaudin
Dan Reed
EditorsPeter Haddon
Ben Hills
Running time53 minutes[1]
Production companyAmos Pictures
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release18 March 2025 (2025-03-18)

Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson is a 2025 British documentary television film directed and produced by Dan Reed. It is the sequel to Leaving Neverland (2019).[2]

Summary

The documentary is the followup to Leaving Neverland (2019), which followed two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the American singer Michael Jackson. Leaving Neverland 2 covers their attempt to take their allegations to trial.[3]

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.[4][5][6] In October 2024, the case was dismissed by both parties, resulting in Max removing the film without the possibility of returning to the platform.[7]

Release

Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson premiered on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2025.[8] Little Dot Studios acquired the U.S and Canada rights, and the film premiered at Real Stories on YouTube.[4][9][10]

Reception

Unlike its predecessor, Leaving Neverland 2 received mixed to negative reviews from critics. In The Guardian, Jack Seale gave the documentary sequel a 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.[11] Pat Fitzpatrick, writing for The Irish Examiner, felt it "lacks the explosive impact of the first show".[12]

References

  1. "LEAVING NEVERLAND 2: SURVIVING MICHAEL JACKSON". Sphere Abacus. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  2. Leaving Neverland 2 Documentary Released on YouTube|Consequence
  3. Paul, Larisha (February 20, 2025). "'Leaving Neverland' Director Has More to Reveal in 'Surviving Michael Jackson' Documentary". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  4. Shafer, Ellise (2025-02-26). "'Leaving Neverland' Sequel 'Surviving Michael Jackson' to Premiere on YouTube in U.S." Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  5. Welk, Brian (2025-02-26). "Why the 'Leaving Neverland' Sequel Won't Be on HBO". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  6. Kanter, Jake (2025-02-20). "'Leaving Neverland' Sequel Sets Premiere Date; Bombshell Michael Jackson Documentary Back In March — But Without HBO". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  7. Medley, Brenda (March 19, 2025). "HBO's Michael Jackson Doc 'Leaving Neverland' Permanently Removed From Max". Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  8. Kanter, Jake (2025-03-04). "'Leaving Neverland 2' Trailer: Sequel Follows James Safechuck & Wade Robson's Fight For Justice After Accusing Michael Jackson Of Sexual Assault". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  9. Stalcup, Jamie (2025-02-27). "Little Dot Studios Lands U.S. Rights to Leaving Neverland 2". TVREAL. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  10. Media, Bionic. "News LITTLE DOT STUDIOS SCOOPS EXCLUSIVE US RIGHTS FOR LEAVING NEVERLAND 2: SURVIVING MICHAEL JACKSON". Sphere Abacus. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  11. Seale, Jack (2025-03-18). "Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson review – the shocking exposé of the megastar is a hard act to follow". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  12. TV review: Leaving Neverland 2 lacks the explosive impact of the first show – Irish Examiner