It’s impossible for a movie to satisfy everyone, despite Hollywood’s attempt at four-quadrant marketing. Some films manage to upset, offend, or confuse parts of the audience so much that their reactions become newsworthy. The internet quickly spreads rumors about behind-the-scenes drama, which means even movies that are generally loved or considered mediocre can unexpectedly stir up controversy as intense as any deliberately provocative work.
This year, we’ve seen a variety of films sparking intense debates among viewers. These range from documentaries tackling controversial political issues, family-friendly blockbusters that unintentionally stirred cultural controversies as they aimed to stay neutral, productions targeted by senseless gossip, and films that tragically became associated with serious crimes. Here are the movies that have ignited passionate discussions in 2025.
Snow White
Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White,” originally set to release a year later, has been generating buzz for quite some time. Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White, has faced criticism for various reasons including her Latina identity, vocal feminist views on the 1937 animated movie, and political stances against Trump and in support of Palestinians. These latter points particularly upset producer Marc Platt’s son Jonah, who considered Zegler’s outspokenness as “narcissistic.” On the other hand, Israeli actress Gal Gadot’s casting as the Evil Queen has stirred controversy among those on the opposite side of the political spectrum, with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel advocating for a boycott of the film.
The Seven Dwarfs faced controversy as well. Actor Peter Dinklage initially opposed the remake of “Snow White,” arguing against recasting dwarf characters. Some other little person actors disagreed with him on this point. Initially, photos of the seven bandit characters were incorrectly reported to be replacements for the dwarfs. In the end, it was revealed that the movie’s depiction of dwarves — who are not explicitly referred to as such in the film — were actually CGI creations, with many people criticizing their appearance. It seems that widespread dissatisfaction with the poor visual effects may have been a more significant factor than the numerous political and celebrity controversies surrounding the production in explaining why the 2025 “Snow White” failed at the box office.
Magazine Dreams
From the start of 2023, it seemed like “Magazine Dreams” was on its way to becoming a significant award nominee. The studio, Searchlight, invested $10 million in the film rights at Sundance, where its director Elijah Bynum received a special jury award for creative vision. However, the film’s unyielding harshness resulted in mixed opinions. Yet, everyone who watched “Magazine Dreams” at Sundance agreed that Jonathan Majors’ portrayal of obsessive bodybuilder Killian Maddox was remarkable. In her review for Looper, Audrey Fox predicted that Majors’ exceptional talent, as showcased in this film, would make “Magazine Dreams” a memorable highlight of 2023.
After Majors was accused and convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, his calling card (reputation or standing) was revoked. It’s less admirable to showcase the extremes of toxic masculinity when it’s unclear how much of it is genuine acting. After the guilty verdict, Searchlight Pictures decided not to distribute “Magazine Dreams”. However, Briarcliff Entertainment, a distribution company known for handling controversial films that other studios avoid, eventually took on the movie and released it in theaters more than two years after its initial premiere.
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Rust
Few people watched the movie titled “Rust” in cinemas. It’s unlikely many would identify it by its title, but they’ve certainly heard of it – it’s more commonly known as “The Western Film Where Alec Baldwin Unintentionally Shot and Killed Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.” Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the tragic incident. The prop gun carried a live bullet, while first assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest to charges of reckless use of a deadly weapon. Baldwin himself faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter and entered “not guilty” pleas both times; these charges were dropped once and dismissed permanently the second time due to withheld evidence.
The off-screen accident stirred discussions about employing real firearms in filmmaking, with some advocating for an outright prohibition due to advancements in creating authentic gunfire sounds through special effects. Given the recent events surrounding the production of “Rust,” it’s not surprising that viewers struggled to appreciate the movie itself. Initially showcased at the Camerimage festival in Poland in 2024, before a summer 2025 release, “Rust” garnered mixed opinions from critics; however, Hutchins’ cinematography was often praised as its standout feature.
No Other Land
No Other Land” – A joint production by four directors, two from Palestine (Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal) and two from Israel (Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor), portrays their shared struggle against the demolition of Masafer Yatta villages in the West Bank. Initially, it had a limited, award-qualifying run in 2024, eventually winning the Oscar for best documentary feature. However, a full theatrical release didn’t occur until 2025; this release was self-distributed as no studio agreed to license the documentary within the United States.
Ever since its debut at the Berlinale, I’ve found myself deeply engrossed in the aftermath of “No Other Land.” The film has sparked an intense political backlash, with some finding issue with a Jewish director’s acceptance speech being labeled as antisemitic by certain German government officials. Israeli culture minister Miki Zohar has also criticized it for its harsh critique of the Israeli government. Miami Beach mayor Steven Meiner even threatened to terminate an art house theater’s lease for showing it. Moreover, it has been boycotted by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, who argue that the involvement of Israeli directors in the film “normalizes” the occupation. However, many from Masafer Yatta challenge this portrayal of the movie.
On March 24, 2025, the escalation of the dispute concerning “No Other Land” became even more alarming. Co-director Hamdan Ballal was violently assaulted by settlers and subsequently held captive by the Israeli military. He was released the day after. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hesitated to issue a statement in solidarity with the recent Oscar winner until around 800 Academy members signed a petition, urging the organization to take action.
Captain America: Brave New World
Title “Captain America: Brave New World” has sparked debates and stirred up controversy years before its 2025 release date. From the initial announcement of Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as the new Captain America, racists have been vocal with their criticisms. However, other groups found grounds to express dissatisfaction throughout the film’s lengthy reshoots and delays.
The title of the movie, “Captain America: New World Order,” fueled conspiracy theories. Instead of the comic book character Sabra being an Israeli Mossad agent superhero named Ruth Bat-Seraph (played by Shira Haas), she was portrayed as a former Black Widow. This change didn’t sit well with both pro-Israel and anti-Israel groups, making the film another target for boycotts. Additionally, Anthony Mackie stirred controversy at an Italian press event when he minimized Captain America as a symbol of America. He later addressed the backlash with a patriotic statement on Instagram.
When the film was eventually released, critics had varying and generally unfavorable opinions. Some reviewers took issue with the ending of “Brave New World,” where Cap shows leniency towards President Ross (played by Harrison Ford), despite his numerous transgressions. Trying to maintain a neutral stance on highly political issues didn’t satisfy everyone.
Lilo and Stitch
Disney’s live-action adaptations of classic animated films find themselves in a tricky situation. If they stick closely to the original movies, viewers might question why they should watch the new version at all. However, if they make too many alterations, fans may voice their displeasure. For instance, the live-action rendition of “Lilo and Stitch” modified the story’s conclusion, resulting in a divided fan base (to put it mildly).
Originally, as a devoted sister, I, Nani (Tia Carrere), was battling to keep my young sibling Lilo (Daveigh Chase) under my care. In the modern adaptation, I, Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong), make the tough choice to place Lilo (Maia Kealoha) in foster care so I can pursue my dreams of attending college in California. While it’s possible that Lilo’s new foster mother (Amy Hill) was already a part of our unique family, this decision aligns with the original’s essence.
However, given the ongoing history of the U.S. government separating Indigenous families, some viewers felt apprehensive when they noticed that this remake seemed to be abandoning the cartoon’s critique on such issues in favor of uneasy overtones suggesting that the government has the best interests at heart.
A shift that displeased fans is that Pleakley, who was portrayed by Kevin McDonald in the original and Billy Magnussen in the reboot, no longer dons women’s clothing to hide his alien identity. Instead, he uses technology to appear as a typical human male. Although minimizing the appearance of alien characters might have been due to budget constraints, the director Dean Fleischer Camp’s response on this matter, suggesting he “tried” but did not elaborate, has led many to suspect that Disney may be intentionally removing queer elements from “Lilo and Stitch,” a trend observed in their recent projects.
Another Simple Favor
Titled “Another Simple Favor,” the upcoming Amazon Prime Video sequel to the 2018 movie of the same name brings back Anna Kendrick as author Stephanie Smothers and Blake Lively as enigmatic Emily Nelson, along with a new character shrouded in mystery. Due to the tabloid attention surrounding Blake Lively, particularly the ongoing legal disputes between her and Justin Baldoni regarding the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” there was much speculation about “Another Simple Favor.” Fueling these rumors was the suggestion that Kendrick and Lively had a falling out at the movie’s SXSW premiere. However, director Paul Feig swiftly debunked such speculations.
In the midst of some commotion, actress Sharon Stone found herself at the center of controversy as she didn’t make an appearance in the movie. Known for her iconic role in “Basic Instinct,” Stone expressed her discontent on Instagram over being unexpectedly dropped from a role without any clear explanation given. It was later revealed that Stone had only discussed a potential role, but had not actually been cast in the film.
Additionally, the movie stirred up controversy due to its controversial storyline involving queer incest. In light of other popular productions like “Another Simple Favor” and “The White Lotus” Season 3, it seems that queer incest narratives are experiencing a resurgence in 2025.
The Electric State
Is there still anyone who recalls the Netflix film titled “The Electric State,” which portrayed a robot rebellion set in an alternate ’90s and featured Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Woody Harrelson lending his voice to the character of Mr. Peanut as the robot leader? This movie seems to be the perfect example of a Netflix production that many people watch yet hardly anyone seems to care about. Critic Alistair Ryder was particularly critical of “The Electric State,” awarding it a score of 1/10 in his review for Looper.
What about this low-quality movie deserves such attention, even controversy? Primarily because it had an enormous budget of $320 million, a figure that’s hard to believe given the cast’s star power and the generous use of CGI. The cost surpasses the initial budget of “Avatar” and is close to that of “Avengers: Infinity War.” Adding to the surprise, the source material, Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, is generally well-regarded. So, the subpar quality of this film leaves fans of the original feeling let down. Furthermore, the movie’s integration of AI, although reportedly limited to voice modulation in this case, has drawn criticism due to directors Joe and Anthony Russo’s ongoing advocacy for increased use of AI in filmmaking, which continues to stir debate.
A Minecraft Movie
At present, “A Minecraft Movie” stands as the top-grossing American film worldwide in 2025, a blockbuster typically hailed for revitalizing theaters – if not for the peculiarity that children attending the screenings were, ironically, causing destruction instead of salvation. Reminiscent of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” yet with fewer romantic undertones and more live poultry, “A Minecraft Movie” has joined the ranks of films that brought organized mayhem to movie houses.
Various perspectives have emerged among older generations regarding the enthusiastic reaction of Zoomers towards the “chicken jockey!” scene, ranging from concern and disapproval to amusement and occasional tolerance. Some cinemas even feel compelled to issue pre-screening warnings against popcorn tossing, while others deliberately target these passionate fans by advertising events that encourage and manage their high energy.
Warfare
In 2024, Alex Garland’s film “Civil War” sparked intense debate due to its daring portrayal of a future United States torn apart by political strife, and its reluctance to provide overt political context. Garland’s subsequent project, “Warfare,” a collaboration with Navy Seal Ray Mendoza based on his own experiences in the Iraq War, didn’t create as much of an uproar as “Civil War” did, possibly because it didn’t attract as many viewers, but it did stir up discussions about war movies and their implications.
The trailer for the movie was widely criticized as military propaganda by many viewers. However, the decision to use fictional military vehicles and uniforms instead of obtaining approval from the Department of Defense might suggest that the creators, Garland and Mendoza, were not intending to create propaganda. Interestingly, when the film itself turned out to be less patriotic than initially suspected, it became Garland’s most critically acclaimed work on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, some critics expressed discomfort with the application of a context-free style similar to “Civil War” to this true story. They also pointed out that a film like this from an Iraqi perspective would likely never be made.
Sinners
In essence, the movie “Sinners” has been quite well-received, with both critics and audiences appreciating it. The messages within seem clear to most people, which is reflected in its box office success. Interestingly, the main controversy surrounding “Sinners” hasn’t stemmed from the film itself but rather from the way Hollywood and major trade publications have been perceived as underplaying its success during the second Trump administration, when there was a growing apprehension about diverse narratives in Hollywood.
Based on a report from Vulture, studio executives were concerned that if “Sinners” proved successful, it could potentially dismantle the existing studio system. This apprehension stemmed from an atypical agreement between Ryan Coogler and Warner Bros., where the rights to the vampire film would return to the director in 25 years. Despite “Sinners'” $48 million domestic opening weekend being the largest for an original movie since the COVID-19 pandemic, headlines about this box office performance seemed unusually subdued, attempting to minimize the success by highlighting the film’s $90 million budget.
Why is a white filmmaker receiving acclaim for such earnings while a black filmmaker like Ryan Coogler, who also achieves similar success, is seen as a threat to the system? However, in the end, it was Coogler who had the last laugh, as his movie “Sinners” showed exceptional staying power and has now earned over $350 million globally.
Together
At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, my favorite body horror flick, “Together,” starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco, where our bodies gradually intertwined, left audiences spellbound. Critics showered it with accolades, giving it a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Neon splurged an impressive $17 million to secure the distribution rights. However, whispers began circulating: was the concept for this movie stolen?
In simpler terms, Patrick Henry Phelan, a writer-director, claims that the movie “Together” copied his upcoming film “Better Half,” set to release in 2023. Apart from having similar themes, there are reportedly several striking parallels between the two films such as dialogue directly lifted from Plato’s “Symposium,” an ending featuring a Spice Girls record, and a scene where conjoined lovers hide outside the bathroom while their bodies merge. Phelan argues that these similarities are not mere coincidence because StudioFest, the production company, sent the “Better Half” script to Brie and Franco’s representatives in 2020; however, the defense asserts that a draft of Shanks’ “Together” screenplay was registered with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in 2019.
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2025-06-15 17:31