New ‘Barbie’ Movie Banned In Multiple Countries, Why?

The new Barbie movie has been banned in multiple countries, and eager fans are asking: why?

The upcoming Barbie movie has stirred a lot of talk online. From fans of the original Barbie doll who are beyond excited to see their favorite hit the big screen, to critics who have nothing but bad things to predict about the movie, everyone has a thought. Fans and haters alike are going back and forth online about the movie. However, several countries have banned it from being released. Read on to find out why one scene may keep Barbie from coming to big screens in multiple countries around the world.

The Barbie Movie Has Fans Clamoring To See It

When it was first announced that Barbie was coming to the big screen in 2023, it was a hit before they had even released the first trailer. Kids of the ’80s and ’90s were already sold, and excited about seeing their childhood friend get her own, new, updated story.

The Warner Bros movie stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. The cast also includes Hollywood titans like Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Rhea Pearlman, John Cena, Anne Hathaway, Dua Lipa, Helen Mirren, and more.

The movie synopsis explains that in the new movie, Barbie and Ken are living it up in their perfect plastic world. But the couple gets a chance to travel to the real world, and they take the opportunity without realizing what they’ll have to face. Once in the real world, Barbie and Ken discover “the joys and perils of living among humans.”

Barbie brings back Aqua’s popular “Barbie Girl” song for the movie and combines the ’90s aesthetic with 2023 humor. The movie is expected to make a huge splash in theaters across the world in late July. However, there are several countries where the movie won’t make any kind of splash, big or not.

The New Barbie Movie Is Banned In Multiple Countries, And Here’s Why

Because in multiple Asian countries, the Barbie movie is now banned before it has even hit theaters.

It all boils down to a single scene that depicts a controversial recognition of an Asian political conflict. On a map in the background of the scene, a “nine-dash line” is visible. The series of line segments added to a map represents China’s territorial claims of the South China Sea. But Vietnam claims this map version and China’s assertions violate their sovereignty.

On July 3, Vietnam announced that they would not allow the movie to screen in their country. On July 4, the Philippines joined Vietnam in banning the movie. The Philippines also disputes China’s claims in the South China Sea. As a result, representatives of the government shared their concerns about the scene being included in the film. However, Philippines officials seem willing to compromise with producers. An edited version of the film may still be permitted to screen if the studio agrees to the changes.

So far, other countries with similar concerns, such as Malaysia, seem to be waiting and watching to see what happens with the Philippines.

Does knowing about the scene’s controversy make you more or less eager to watch the Barbie movie? Sound off in comments about how the whole controversy makes you feel. And let us know which movies you’re the most eager to watch in 2023.