Buzz
Who isn’t captivated by a great film? Annually, over 2,000 movies are crafted worldwide. Regardless of their quality, these films rake in millions, occasionally billions, for everyone involved in their creation.
Yet, revenue isn’t the only thing movies produce. Every year, a handful spark rumors, excitement, and heated debates. After all, everyone is drawn to a juicy scandal. Often, it’s a specific scene, prop, or mistake that ignites the fire.
In some cases, the uproar begins months before the movie’s release. Whether due to religious concerns, sensitive topics, or perceived political undertones, the films on this list faced backlash—and some were even prohibited—before they ever reached theaters.
10. The Hunt 2020
Initially scheduled for a September 27, 2019 release, The Hunt revolves around a liberal elite group hunting down working-class conservatives as if they were prey. This concept mirrors the infamous “The Most Dangerous Game.” The satirical horror/thriller’s storyline and promotional material sparked intense online debates, even drawing commentary from the president.
While some labeled the movie as liberal propaganda, others claimed it was right-wing scare tactics. The only consensus among critics was their disdain for the film, its cast, and anyone who found it entertaining.
The backlash was so swift and severe that the movie’s release was postponed until early 2020. Despite maintaining a decent 6.5/10 rating, the controversy surrounding the film shows no signs of fading.
9. Joker 2019
Joker delves into the life of a man driven to extremes by poverty, untreated mental health issues, and relentless abuse—both personal and systemic. Suffering childhood beatings that caused brain damage, he endured the lifelong consequences of those injuries. Given such a premise, it’s no surprise the film sparked widespread debate.
Even before its release, the movie faced a barrage of criticism from the public and media alike. Labeled as an “incel” film, numerous news outlets warned it could incite mass shootings and theater violence. Some even suggested it might motivate disenchanted young men to engage in riots and acts of terror.
While such incidents never materialized, the media frenzy around the film persisted for months. At one point, Joaquin Phoenix, the star of Joker, abruptly ended an interview when questioned about whether his character might inspire “an unstable, self-pitying loner with a mass-shooter mentality.”
8. Ghostbusters 2016
Remaking a classic film is no easy feat. Typically, filmmakers face two options: either stick closely to the original, ensuring familiarity but risking predictability, or take a bold new approach, potentially surpassing the original while alienating some longtime fans and risking failure.
Ghostbusters (2016) opted for an ill-fated third approach, retaining the title and core concept but executing it poorly. By eliminating all original characters and dismissing fans’ concerns, the production team and certain cast members alienated the franchise’s loyal audience.
Coupled with a painfully unfunny trailer and pretentious commentary about the remake, the film managed to repel enough viewers to guarantee its box office failure.
7. The Interview 2014
In 2014, Sony Pictures prepared to release The Interview, a film with a humorous and unique premise: Two journalists, sent to North Korea to interview dictator Kim Jong Un, are enlisted by the US government to assassinate him during the visit.
Unsurprisingly, the North Korean government and its citizens were outraged. Labeling it a “dishonest film that insulted the Supreme Leader’s dignity,” North Korea unleashed a barrage of threats against Sony and the actors, ultimately causing Sony to hesitate.
Initially, Sony shelved the film to avoid potential retaliation from North Korea. However, after then-President Barack Obama and others argued that withholding it would undermine free speech, the movie was eventually released, albeit not in theaters.
The Interview is believed to have triggered the 2014 cyberattacks on Sony’s networks and databases by the Guardians of Peace, a hacking group linked to North Korea.
6. The Passion Of The Christ 2004
Religious films often stir debate, but The Passion of the Christ faced unprecedented backlash even before its 2004 debut. Director Mel Gibson aimed to portray the final 44 hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s life, but the project encountered numerous challenges.
Initial concerns centered on accusations that the film’s graphic depiction of Christ’s torture and death was blasphemous. Additionally, strange occurrences during filming added to the controversy.
During a flogging scene, lead actor Jim Caviezel sustained a 36-centimeter (14 in) scar on his back from a misplaced whip strike. Both Caviezel and Jan Michelini, the first assistant director, were also struck by lightning during filming.
Further controversies arose from Mel Gibson’s alleged anti-Semitic remarks, later confirmed through recordings. Additionally, some Christians criticized the film for deviating from the New Testament, viewing these changes as heretical and blasphemous.
Despite the controversies, The Passion Of The Christ achieved remarkable success, grossing over $600 million and becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time.
5. Borat 2006
Released in 2006, Borat received widespread acclaim from comedy enthusiasts worldwide, though it faced backlash in several Middle Eastern countries due to its portrayal of a Kazakh character.
Prior to its release, preview copies of the film were distributed to reviewers, screeners, and censors in various countries where it was scheduled to be shown, a standard practice for international film releases.
However, Borat failed to meet the approval of censors. It was banned in all Arab nations except Lebanon, with a Dubai censor describing it as “vile, gross, and utterly absurd.”
Kazakhstan’s censors and citizens were outraged, accusing the filmmakers of misleading them about the movie’s premise, which they had assumed was a straightforward documentary. Ironically, the backlash boosted the film’s popularity, driving ticket sales in countries where it was permitted and resulting in significant profits for the studio and Sacha Baron-Cohen.
4. Brokeback Mountain 2005
While Brokeback Mountain is now regarded as a landmark gay romance, it faced intense controversy before its release. Featuring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger as cowboys engaged in a secret 20-year affair, the film drew immediate criticism from various groups upon its announcement.
The backlash against Brokeback Mountain was so intense that some theaters refused to screen it. Religious leaders condemned the film in sermons, criticizing its depiction of a homosexual relationship. Additionally, the movie was banned in most Middle Eastern nations.
3. Monty Python: Life Of Brian 1979
As the oldest entry on this list, Monty Python: Life Of Brian emerged during a more conservative era, making its controversial reception inevitable. Even before its release, the film ignited heated debates and widespread curiosity.
The film revolves around Brian, a man born in a stable next to Jesus of Nazareth. A satirical take on religion, it follows Brian’s journey as he is mistakenly hailed as the Messiah while becoming a young revolutionary.
This premise infuriated the Catholic Church, as well as Protestant and Jewish communities, leading to preemptive bans across much of Europe. Ireland prohibited the film from its release until 1987.
In regions where the film was screened, it faced protests from nuns, priests, and rabbis, all of whom deemed Life Of Brian blasphemous. They argued that the movie ridiculed Jesus’s crucifixion and the Christian faith as a whole. Its notoriety was so significant that it was featured in the 1990 book A Brief History of Blasphemy.
2. Captain Marvel 2019
As part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this film was bound to attract attention. However, the excitement turned contentious due to remarks made by Brie Larson, the lead actress.
Larson sparked online outrage by stating she didn’t value reviews from “40-year-old white men.” While some criticized her comments as racist and sexist, others praised them as bold and justified.
This clash escalated into a battle over Captain Marvel. Critics of Larson review-bombed the film, while her supporters used bots to artificially boost its ratings. The conflict persisted until the movie’s release.
1. JoJo Rabbit 2019
What could be more controversial than Nazis? Apparently, Nazis portrayed humorously.
While JoJo Rabbit brilliantly mocked one of history’s most despicable groups, it wasn’t free from controversy. Even before its theatrical release, the film sparked debates about its perceived message.
Many critics were appalled from the first trailer, accusing JoJo Rabbit of trivializing the atrocities committed by the Nazis. They argued that the film’s humor downplayed the grim realities of World War II.
Others protested that the film’s depiction of Nazis describing Jewish people as monstrous, scaly, and fire-breathing perpetuated anti-Semitic stereotypes.
Conversely, neo-Nazis were equally outraged, albeit for similar reasons. Neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups were incensed by the depiction of Adolf Hitler as a quirky, cowardly imaginary friend to JoJo Rabbit. They also despised the inclusion of a gay Nazi couple and the overall portrayal of Nazi soldiers as foolish, superstitious, and absurd.
