Nov 22, 2022

Disney's-Strange World-Skips markets where LGBTQIA+ content is banned or censored.

Disney has chosen not to submit movies in countries where Lgbtqia+ content is banned and where it is likely to be banned or where editorial requests are likely to be made, and has decided to skip over 20 international markets with Strange World's theatrical release.

Areas not to be shown include the Middle East, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam, East Africa (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya), West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana), Maldives, Nepal, and Bangladesh all. The film was also not submitted for theatrical release in Russia, but according to reports, it was due to the ongoing geopolitical situation.

Disney has recently become very familiar with censorship when releasing movies abroad. Just this summer, there was a tremendous controversy surrounding the release of Lightyear's Same-sex Kiss that would miss it in the blink of an eye, and eventually more than 12 countries banned the film.

The strange world features a young male character, Ethan, who is in love with another boy. Ethan's story was integral to the film's main plot, and Disney didn't want to make any edits that would affect that story. So, (at least) the company decided to avoid regions that might ask for such edits.

According to Deadline, a Disney spokesperson commented:

In the countries in which we operate, we are trying to share our stories in their original form when the artists involved with us create them. If we make edits, for legal or other considerations, they will be as narrow as possible. We do not make edits that we believe it will affect storytelling. In such situations, you will not distribute content in that market.

The company's refusal to release a film in a particular market does not come at a cost. Disney's last animated feature, Encanto in 2021, grossed nearly220 million in 2500 regions where Strange World will not be released (although it's shorter than a regular window).