Animated 'Spider-Man' movie banned from Muslim countries, possibly over brief transgender messages

The newest animated "Spider-Man" movie has been banned across the Muslim world, and many suspect that it's due to brief scenes showing support for the transgender agenda.

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" was released to great acclaim in the U.S. and has been declared a box office success, but it will have to forego any gains from the Middle East.

According to a report from Esquire Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has said the movie did not pass censorship requirements and will not be screened in the region.

Other countries banning the film include Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

While the specific reason for the ban was not disclosed, many suspect that it may have to do with brief scenes in which signs in the background display support for transgender children. Some transgender activists have theorized that a main character in the movie, Gwen Stacy, is implied to be a transgender person.

The movie shows a poster reading "protect trans kids" displayed in the Stacy character's room, and her father is seen wearing a transgender rights flag on his uniform.

The Media Council in UAE released a statement Monday obliquely referring to the issue.

"We are monitoring and evaluating the local media content being circulated, and we affirm that any content contradicting the UAE values and principles, and media content standards enforced within the UAE, will not be allowed for circulation or publication," its statement read.

In 2022, 14 Asian and Middle Eastern countries banned the "Lightyear" animated film over scenes of LGBTQ characters. That movie went on to bomb at the box office, opening to only $51.7 million on its first weekend in second place. While the film was the fifth highest grossing animated movie that year, it lost about $100 million for Disney and Pixar, an enormous disappointment.

Here's more about the Islamic 'Spider-Man' ban:

UAE bans screening of the new Spider-Man filmwww.youtube.com

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