15 Controversial Queer Kisses in Straight-Laced Blockbusters

For a long time, mainstream movies avoided showing same-sex affection to avoid problems with censorship and to appeal to wider audiences. Recently, studios have started including queer kisses in big-budget films, which often sparks intense public discussion and media attention. These moments vary – sometimes they’re brief and in the background, and other times they’re important to the story and character development. Here’s a look at fifteen examples of major films that featured same-sex intimacy and generated headlines.

‘Lightyear’ (2022) – Alisha Hawthorne and Kiko

Disney received criticism and internal pushback after initially removing a quick kiss between two female characters in the film Lightyear. Employees protested the decision, especially in light of the company’s position on inclusive laws, and the kiss was later reinstated. However, this led to the film being banned in more than a dozen countries in the Middle East and Asia. The scene itself was meant to show the passage of time and highlight the family history of one of the main characters.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019) – Commander D’Acy and Wrobie Tyce

The latest ‘Star Wars’ film includes a quick kiss between two female characters, Commander D’Acy and her wife, Wrobie Tyce. This is the first time a same-sex kiss has appeared in a ‘Star Wars’ movie released in theaters. Director J.J. Abrams added the scene to show the diversity of the Resistance, but wanted it to be a subtle moment, not a focus of the story. Unfortunately, some countries removed the kiss from the film to meet their censorship rules.

‘Eternals’ (2021) – Phastos and Ben

For the first time in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film, a superhero, Phastos, shared a kiss with his husband, Ben. This tender moment happens right before Phastos leaves to battle the Deviants and protect Earth. Director Chloé Zhao successfully defended the scene from censorship demands made by some countries, ensuring it remained in the film. The kiss highlights what’s at stake for Phastos as he fights to keep his family safe.

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ (2022) – Elena and Amalia Chavez

The movie includes a touching scene showing America Chavez’s two mothers together. This short moment caused the film to be banned in some Gulf countries because Disney wouldn’t make changes to it. The scene reveals how America unintentionally created a portal that led to her being separated from her parents, highlighting the deep sadness that motivates her adventures through different universes.

‘Star Trek Beyond’ (2016) – Hikaru Sulu and Ben

Hikaru Sulu warmly greets his husband, Ben, and their daughter at the Yorktown station. This touching moment was included in the film by writer Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin as a tribute to George Takei, the original actor who played Sulu. However, Takei publicly shared that he didn’t agree with the decision, believing it strayed from the creator Gene Roddenberry’s initial ideas for the character. Despite this disagreement, the scene stands as a quiet but clear nod to Sulu’s personal life within the Star Trek universe.

‘It Chapter Two’ (2019) – Adrian Mellon and Don Hagarty

The new horror movie begins with a shocking and violent hate crime that happens right after Adrian Mellon kisses his boyfriend, Don Hagarty. Director Andy Muschietti took this scene directly from Stephen King’s novel to emphasize the deep-rooted evil present in the town of Derry. This disturbing opening establishes a dark and unsettling mood by connecting the supernatural horror to real-world violence. Many viewers found the sudden shift from a loving moment to tragedy to be a particularly chilling way to start the film.

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018) – Freddie Mercury and Paul Prenter

The movie shows a private moment between Freddie Mercury and his manager, Paul Prenter, which is a key moment where Mercury starts to come to terms with his sexuality, separate from his relationship with Mary Austin. When the film was released in China, censors cut this scene, along with any other parts that showed Mercury’s same-sex attraction. The movie generally explores the complicated relationships in Mercury’s life as he became a world-famous star.

‘Rocketman’ (2019) – Elton John and John Reid

Taron Egerton and Richard Madden shared a steamy bedroom scene while portraying Elton John and his manager, John Reid, in the film. Despite many biopics choosing to avoid explicit content, the studio decided to keep this scene intact. It powerfully shows the passionate but ultimately damaging relationship between the two men, and it’s notable as the first time a major film has shown intimacy between two male leads.

‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ (2006) – Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard

In a surprising turn of events, longtime rivals Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard end their feud with a lengthy and passionate kiss right on the racetrack. The scene is played for laughs, but also effectively resolves the tension between the two drivers. Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen fully committed to the improvised kiss at the end of the race. This unexpected moment uses over-the-top humor to playfully challenge the usual tough-guy image often seen in sports films.

‘Cruel Intentions’ (1999) – Kathryn Merteuil and Cecile Caldwell

A famous scene in the movie features Kathryn Merteuil teaching the innocent Cecile Caldwell how to kiss. This moment, which became widely known and discussed, was actually part of Kathryn’s plan to damage Cecile’s reputation and control the social scene at their school. It even won an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss and is still a memorable part of teen movies from the late 1990s. The scene was controversial because it questioned the line between manipulation and genuine discovery, fitting with the film’s satirical style.

‘Alien: Covenant’ (2017) – David 8 and Walter One

In a scene from the film, the android David 8 shares a kiss with Walter, a more recently created android, during what is ostensibly a flute lesson. Michael Fassbender plays both characters in this sequence, which delves into ideas about self-obsession and the creation of artificial life. The intimate moment hints at David’s arrogance and his attempt to influence Walter with his disturbing worldview. This unusual interaction highlights how unsettling the androids are when left to their own devices, without human control.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017) – Lorraine Broughton and Delphine Lasalle

In Berlin, spy Lorraine Broughton develops a romantic relationship with French agent Delphine Lasalle. This connection offers Lorraine a rare moment of emotional openness amidst the film’s intense spy action. Their intimacy becomes crucial to the plot when it puts Delphine in danger from other spies. The film shows their connection as a real and meaningful escape, not just a superficial attraction.

‘Deadpool 2’ (2018) – Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Yukio

As a film fan, I always appreciated a small but significant moment in Deadpool: Negasonic Teenage Warhead casually introducing her girlfriend, Yukio, to Deadpool. What made it really stand out was that it was the first time a major superhero movie showed an openly lesbian couple – and it wasn’t a big deal, which was the point! Deadpool’s immediate acceptance and excitement felt so refreshing, especially because the rest of the movie is just pure, over-the-top chaos. The normalcy of their relationship felt like a really cool counterpoint to all the action.

‘Cloud Atlas’ (2012) – Robert Frobisher and Rufus Sixsmith

Robert Frobisher, a composer, and Rufus Sixsmith, a physicist, fall in love, and their relationship is a central part of the story. Their connection inspires the creation of a musical piece called the ‘Cloud Atlas Sextet’ and has ripple effects on events happening in other eras. The film portrays their love as a heartbreaking but necessary part of a soul’s ongoing journey through multiple lifetimes, emphasizing how people can be connected across time and space.

‘Alexander’ (2004) – Alexander and Bagoas

The movie depicts a kiss between Alexander the Great and his companion Bagoas, a eunuch. Director Oliver Stone included this scene to show that historical accounts suggest Alexander was bisexual, a choice the studio initially questioned. The depiction sparked controversy, with Greek lawyers threatening to sue, believing it misrepresented their national hero. Stone intended the scene to highlight Alexander’s openness to different cultures as he conquered Persia.

Let us know in the comments which movie scene resonated with you the most.

2025-12-25 22:46