Why Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is Banned in UAE, Explained
It looks like the UAE banned the movie for a one-second frame.
Following its premiere on May 31, 2023, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has scored rave reviews from fans and critics and raked in some pretty impressive numbers at the box office.
While millions of people all across the globe were keen to watch the animated Spider-Man on the big screen, it looks like some of the Arab countries, including the UAE, have decided to deny their citizens the chance to see the movie in theaters — for a rather strange reason.
As you all know, the majority of Arab countries are still quite toxic against LGBTQ+, banning any depiction of such characters in films, books, and other fictional work. Although the new Spidey adventure doesn't really promote LGBTQ+ rights, the UAE government still found a small detail that allowed them to ban the movie in their country.
During a brief scene showing Gwen Stacy in her bedroom, viewers could see a trans flag with the words 'Protect Trans Kids' hanging above her door. Although most people probably missed the detail, some took a note of it and used it as definitive proof that Gwen was trans in the cartoon.
As it turns out, the scene caused controversy in some Middle Eastern countries, and millions of Arabic fans did not get to see the whole Spider-Man movie for a second-long moment. All screenings of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse were promptly canceled in the UAE, and people who had already purchased tickets were given full refunds.
'That's literally it. Nothing else. There's absolutely nothing LGBTQ+ about this film other than that one frame in a 2 hour and 20 minute movie,' one fan noted.
Even though people got their money back, being banned from seeing a movie in your home country is certainly a big bummer. Marvel fans all across the world are feeling sorry for their mates over in the Middle East, criticizing the UAE government for their hasty and unjustified decision.
We hope that the movie will at least be allowed on streaming platforms in the UAE and in other Arab countries.
Source: Reddit.