Saudi Arabia and the UAE have decided not to screen Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse due to censorship issues. Vox Cinemas confirmed that the film will not be released in the UAE, but no explanation was provided. Major cinema chains in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain also do not list the movie on their websites. The film’s portrayal of transgender themes has sparked online debates, but it is unclear if that is the reason for the ban.
The UAE Media Council stated on Twitter that content contrary to the country’s values and media content standards will not be allowed. Some residents support the decision, citing religious teachings and the importance of respecting viewers’ values.
Moreover, Vox Cinemas had previously announced the availability of tickets, but they are not shown as purchasable on their websites. The reasons for the movie’s absence were not provided by cinema customer service lines. Government bodies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar did not respond to requests for comment.
However, this is not the first instance of a film facing censorship in the region. In 2022, the UAE banned Disney Pixar’s “Lightyear” due to its depiction of homosexual relationships, violating the nation’s media content standards.
