10 Movies That Got Backlash BEFORE Release

Top 10 Movies That Got Backlash Before They Even Came Out

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for films that were the subject of controversy before they even hit theaters.

#10: The Flash (2023)

Ezra Millers performance as the Flash was well-received in a series of cinematic and TV appearances leading up to their solo film. But before The Flashs could be released, Miller was involved in a series of controversial incidents in 2022, including choking one woman and throwing a chair at another. And really, thats just scratching the surface. Despite the negative press, the studio decided not to recast. This led to the project being torn apart by fans and casual viewers far before its release. The combination of its budget and Miller being in every scene meant that recasting or canceling wouldve resulted in a lossso they had to go forward. This controversy only worsened The Flashs financial and critical letdown.

#9: Back to Black (2024)

Biopics are tricky to pull off. One wrong move, and an entertainers fanbase could end up decrying the whole thing. Such was the case for Back to Black, a biopic centered on the life and career of Amy Winehouse. Commentary began to fly as soon as the first trailer was released. Some felt that the lead, Marisa Abela, both looked and sounded nothing like Amy, while others were upset that the singers original vocals wouldnt be included. It was clear that people had written it off from the very beginning, believing that it would ruin Winehouses legacy. While it did fare better with critics after coming out, it had already been convicted in the court of public opinion.

#8: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

They had the perfect set-up for easy nostalgia bait Marios original voice actor, Charles Martinet, had made it clear that he wouldve loved bringing the role to the big screen. When it was announced that Chris Pratt would be playing the plumber, and that Martinet was being downgraded to a cameo, several fans were let down. The reaction was made even worse when the first trailer dropped, and Mario was missing his iconic Italian accent. The backlash exploded from there, to the point where Pratt himself had to put out a statement placating the angered supporters and defending the movie all at once. Their risk ultimately paid off, with the film eventually becoming second-highest-grossing of 2023.

#7: The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Any art focused on religious figures is bound to garner some controversy, given the topics long and complicated history. That didnt stop Mel Gibson from creating The Passion of the Christ, a film about Jesus Christs final night before his crucifixion. The concept alone was enough to put some people offand accusations of antisemitism certainly didnt help. Activist groups came forward claiming that the script and imagery relied on harmful stereotypes that could potentially endanger Jewish people. The response was so severe that 20th Century Fox ended up passing on it entirely. And yet, despite it all, the film still went on to win several awards and become the highest-grossing R-rated movie in the US until 2024.

#6: Borderlands (2024)

Adapting video games to another medium is a risky move; it can pay off big, but if the source material isnt respected, prepare for disaster. Borderlands is a prime example. Its eclectic characters and bright, interesting visuals couldve made for a great production. But many fans hopes were dashed as soon as the first preview came out. Glaringly, the cast had only a passing resemblance to the characters they were playing. Sure, there were some big names, like Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis. But fans felt that fame had been prioritized over casting. The big names didnt help in the end, with the film flopping in the box office and with viewers.

#5: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

As if this hero didnt already have a tough reputation to shake! The DCEUs Aquaman has always been the target of jokes online, but the reaction to his solo films sequel was even worse. The continued inclusion of Amber Heard following an intense, high-profile legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp enraged fansespecially since the former had been fired from Disney amid abuse allegations. A petition calling to have Heard removed circulated soon after, garnering over four million signatures by mid-2022. Her part ended up being heavily reduced. By the time the smoke cleared, she was only present for 20 minutes of the movies two hour runtime, despite once being considered one of the principal characters.

#4: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

An initial negative reaction doesnt always mean the end for a production. For some, it can be a wake-up call. Sonic the Hedgehog is a beloved characterso a movie featuring him garnered immediate interest. When the original trailer first came out, it was met with instant ridicule due to the hilariously bad character design. Little detailslike the way his legs were positionedwere also called out. To their credit, the studio actually listened to the fans complaints. After a five-month delay and an additional five million dollars, they returned with a much cleaner-looking design. Their compliance ended up working out tenfold, with Sonic the Hedgehog becoming one of the highest-earning films of 2020.

#3: Monty Pythons Life of Brian (1979)

Making a movie about religion is risky enoughmaking it comedic is even riskier. If theres one project that struck the perfect balance between comedy and offense, its Monty Pythons Life of Brian. Following a man born next to Jesus and mistaken as the Messiah, the film faced an uphill battle from the start. When EMI executive Bernard Delfont finally read the script and realized it was religious satire, he decided to pull funding - just a few days before filming began! Fortunately, Beatle George Harrison stepped in to finance the film. Despite considerable backlash from religious groups, it became an instant classic upon release.

#2: Ghostbusters (2016)

Viewers have become disillusioned at constant reboots and sequelsand this was one of the first to create a furore online. The original Ghostbusters is a certified classic, with comedy and characters that are still enjoyed today. When a reboot with an all-female cast was announced, some fans were more than a little upset. The trailer was lambasted, earning over one million dislikes after being uploaded. The film was also the victim of review-bombing, causing it to have a low audience score before it had even been seen by anyone. While the intense negative reaction was criticized at the time, it wasnt enough to sway the general public, resulting in a significant financial loss.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.


Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Scarlett Johanssons Casting Resulted in Allegations of Whitewashing


The Hunt (2020)
The Mishandled Political Satire Led to Those on Both Sides Writing the Film off Pre-release


Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
People Immediately Clocked That Ben Platt Looked Too Old to Accurately Play a Teenager


The Little Mermaid (2023)
Halle Baileys Casting Caused Her & the Film to Be the Target of Racial Abuse


Songbird (2020)
A Movie About a COVID-19 Mutation Was the Last Thing Viewers Wanted during the Pandemic

#1: The Interview (2014)

It doesnt get any riskier than this. The North Korean government is not known for its good humor. Needless to say, they werent thrilled about The Interview, a movie about journalists attempting to take out North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. His government threatened to retaliate against the US, saying the movie would be considered an act of war. The theatrical release was canceled following Sony being hacked. That decision was also met with controversy, as many felt the studio shouldnt have bowed to a dictator. President Barack Obama himself called this decision a mistake at a press conference. Eventually, The Interview was given a limited showing, and ended up becoming the companys highest-grossing digital release.


Have any of your favorite movies been the subject of pre-release backlash? Let us know in the comments below!