The new Michael Jackson biopic has achieved record-breaking box office success, becoming the highest-grossing opening weekend for a biopic ever. However, the film has been widely criticized by reviewers and notably omits all allegations of child sexual abuse against the late singer. This omission is reportedly due to a legal clause that prohibits any depiction of Jordan Chandler, whose father accused Jackson of sexual assault in 1993. Despite this, Chandler is not the only accuser. The Jackson estate has consistently denied all allegations, but a fresh wave of claims emerged earlier this year from four siblings alleging grooming and manipulation even after Jackson's death.
What Allegations Did Michael Jackson Face?
Jackson always denied all allegations and was acquitted in court in 2005 on charges related to Gavin Arvizo. He never returned to Neverland Ranch after leaving court on June 13, 2005, spending months in Bahrain and Ireland. Below are the major accusations made against Jackson during his life and posthumously.
Jordan Chandler and the $20 Million Settlement
In 1993, Evan Chandler, a dentist and screenwriter, accused Jackson of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old son, Jordan. Jackson had befriended the teen after renting a vehicle from his stepfather. Despite initially encouraging the friendship, Chandler became concerned and Jordan told a psychiatrist he had been molested. The LA police investigated but found no physical evidence, dropping the case. Jackson withdrew from his world tour, citing health problems. The Chandlers then filed a lawsuit, settling out of court for $23 million (over £17.5 million) with no admission of guilt from Jackson.
The 2005 Abuse Trial
In 2005, 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo and his family pursued a criminal trial. Gavin met Jackson five years earlier while undergoing chemotherapy. In 2002, he appeared in the BBC documentary Living with Michael Jackson, which showed them holding hands. Jackson told interviewer Martin Bashir he had shared his bed with many youngsters, calling it a 'beautiful thing'. Jackson was arrested on November 20, 2003, after Neverland Ranch was searched, and charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent for felony purposes. Additional indictments included conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion. Jackson pleaded not guilty and was acquitted on all charges on June 13, 2005, after a 32-hour jury deliberation. Celebrities including George Lopez, Jay Leno, and a 24-year-old Macaulay Culkin testified in support. Culkin later stated, 'He never did anything to me. I never saw him do anything.'
Leaving Neverland Documentary
Wade Robson and James Safechuck separately filed charges in 2015 against MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, alleging Jackson abused them. Robson had testified in support of Jackson at the 2005 trial, saying he slept in Jackson's bedroom but nothing untoward happened. The lawsuits were dismissed on technicalities of time limits and company liability, without addressing the validity of the claims. In 2019, Robson and Safechuck participated in the Leaving Neverland documentary, which received a sequel in 2025. Safechuck, who met Jackson on a Pepsi ad set in 1986, claimed Jackson molested him when he was a child. He alleged a secret wedding-style ceremony when he was 11 and that Jackson offered $1 million to his father. Robson claimed he performed oral sex on Jackson at age seven, after meeting him two years earlier at a dance competition. Director Dan Reed stated, 'Sexual abuse is complicated, and survivors' voices need to be listened to.'
Recent Allegations from the Cascio Siblings
In February 2026, a new lawsuit was filed against the Jackson estate by four siblings from the Cascio family, alleging Jackson molested them. The Cascios became friendly with Jackson after his stays at a Manhattan hotel where their father worked. Jackson spent time with them socially, staying at their home and taking them on trips to Disney. A year after Jackson's death in 2009, the family appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show to defend him, shaking their heads when asked about improprieties. However, 15 years later, Edward, Dominic, Aldo Cascio, and Marie-Nicole Porte claimed this was a lie, stating they were 'groomed to protect' him. The complaint alleges child sex trafficking, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, and fraud. The siblings said they had a moment of realization after watching Leaving Neverland. Their lawyers called Jackson 'a serial child predator who drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted each of the Plaintiffs.' The estate's representative dismissed them as 'unreliable sources.'
Why Does the Movie Not Cover These Allegations?
The film originally included scenes of the 1993 investigation, but lawyers for the Jackson Estate discovered a clause in the Chandler settlement that legally prohibits dramatizing or referencing Jordan Chandler in a film. This revelation came late in production, forcing filmmakers to scrap the entire third act and rethink the narrative. In June 2025, cast and crew reconvened for 22 days of reshoots in Los Angeles, adding $10-15 million to the budget. The film released on April 24, 2026, to poor reviews, scoring 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. Metro's film reporter Tori Brazier gave it two stars, calling it 'as deep as a puddle'.
How Did Michael Jackson Die?
Jackson died on June 25, 2009, from acute intoxication of propofol and lorazepam, resulting in cardiac arrest. His personal doctor, Conrad Murray, administered medications to help him sleep after late rehearsals for his comeback tour. His death was ruled a homicide, and Murray served nearly two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. News of his death shocked the world, with music legends performing at his funeral.
Potential Sequel
The film ends in 1988 as Jackson sets off for the Bad tour, leaving two decades of his life unexplored. Jaafar Jackson, Jackson's nephew who stars in the film, told Entertainment Tonight that a sequel is 'in early development'. While Puck News reported a second film is in the works, Lionsgate has not confirmed. A follow-up would face similar issues with the Chandler settlement but could potentially skip the 1993 case and include the 2005 trial.
