Controversial Netflix documentary with a 6% audience score loses first place to drama series

After capturing the attention of Netflix viewers for days Michael Jackson: The Verdict (2026) lost its leading position in the Netflix rankings. The much-discussed documentary series about the lawsuit surrounding the deceased pop star has now been overtaken by two other titles that are currently doing great on the streaming service.

Drama series at the top

The biggest challenger appears to be the new miniseries The Witness (2026). This gripping British drama series, based on the murder case surrounding Rachel Nickell, quickly became a worldwide hit and attracted millions of viewers to Netflix. Also Sweet Magnolias (2020– ) benefits from a strong return. The fifth season of the popular drama series was released on Netflix last Thursday and appears to be an immediate hit with loyal fans.

7.3

Sweet Magnolias (2020‑ )

Watch on Netflix • Maddie lives in Serenity with her best friends Dana and Helen. Their friendship goes back to their school days, so they have experienced a lot together.

Strong criticism

The documentary about Jackson has not gone uncontroversial. The documentary has led to fierce discussions, especially among fans of the singer. Many viewers feel that the series paints a one-sided picture of Jackson and his legacy. This criticism is also visible in the online reviews. The documentary’s audience score dropped to only 6 percent, an exceptionally low figure that, according to various media, constitutes a low point for a Netflix documentary.

Victim of success

Surprisingly, the controversy seems to have diminished interest Michael Jackson: The Verdict not to have directly harmed. Despite the extremely low audience score, the documentary remains one of the most talked about titles on Netflix. The fact that the series is now losing ground seems to be the result of the strong performance of competing titles rather than a lack of interest from viewers.

6.5 Watch on Netflix • Alex and André Hanscombe face the devastating consequences of a brutal act. In 1992, Rachel Nickell was murdered on Wimbledon Common, after which André suddenly became a single parent.