15 Controversial Queer Kisses in Straight-Laced Blockbusters

Mainstream cinema has historically shied away from depicting same-sex affection to appease global censorship boards and conservative audiences. Studios have slowly begun to include queer kisses in high-budget films that often ignite fierce public debate and media scrutiny. These moments range from fleeting background interactions to pivotal plot points that define character arcs. The following list explores fifteen instances where major blockbusters featured same-sex intimacy that made headlines.

‘Lightyear’ (2022) – Alisha Hawthorne and Kiko

Disney faced significant pressure regarding a brief kiss between Space Ranger Alisha Hawthorne and her wife Kiko. The studio initially removed the moment before restoring it following internal employee backlash regarding their stance on inclusive legislation. This creative decision resulted in the film being banned in over a dozen countries across the Middle East and Asia. The scene serves to establish the passage of time and the legacy of the Hawthorne family within the narrative.

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

The final installment of the Skywalker saga features a fleeting celebration kiss between Commander D’Acy and her pilot wife Wrobie Tyce. This moment marks the first same-sex kiss in the history of the theatrical ‘Star Wars’ franchise. Filmmaker J.J. Abrams included the scene to represent the inclusivity of the Resistance without centering it on main characters. Several international markets edited the brief interaction out of the final theatrical release to comply with local censorship laws.

‘Eternals’ (2021) – Phastos and Ben

The Marvel Cinematic Universe showcased its first openly gay superhero Phastos sharing a kiss with his husband Ben. The scene occurs just before the eternal warrior departs to defend humanity against the Deviants. Director Chloé Zhao fought to keep the intimate family moment intact despite censorship requests from various nations. The sequence establishes the emotional stakes for Phastos as he fights to protect the family he loves.

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

A flashback sequence depicts the two mothers of multiverse traveler America Chavez sharing a tender moment. This brief inclusion led to the movie being prohibited in several Gulf nations after Disney refused to make requested edits. The scene explains the tragic backstory where America accidentally opens a portal that separates her from her parents. It underscores the personal loss driving the young hero throughout her journey across dimensions.

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

Hikaru Sulu greets his husband Ben and their daughter at Yorktown station with a welcoming embrace. Screenwriter Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin included the moment as a tribute to original Sulu actor George Takei. Takei publicly expressed his disagreement with the creative choice because he felt it deviated from Gene Roddenberry’s original vision. The scene remains a subtle but distinct acknowledgment of the character’s personal life within the timeline.

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

The horror sequel opens with a brutal hate crime following a kiss between Adrian Mellon and his boyfriend Don Hagarty. Director Andy Muschietti adapted this scene directly from Stephen King’s source material to highlight the pervasive evil in Derry. The sequence sets a grim tone for the film by grounding the supernatural horror in realistic violence. Audiences found the juxtaposition of affection and immediate tragedy to be a harrowing introduction to the story.

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

The biographical film depicts Freddie Mercury sharing an intimate moment with his manager Paul Prenter. This interaction marks a turning point where Mercury begins to explore his sexuality away from his relationship with Mary Austin. Censorship boards in China removed this scene and other references to the singer’s queerness from the theatrical release. The film focuses on the complexity of Mercury’s personal relationships amidst his rise to global stardom.

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

Taron Egerton and Richard Madden engage in a passionate bedroom scene as Elton John and manager John Reid. Paramount Pictures distributed the film with the R-rated sequence intact despite industry trends favoring sanitized biopics. This scene illustrates the intensity and eventual toxicity of the romantic entanglement between the two men. It stands as the first time a major studio film depicted gay sex between male leads.

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

Arch-rivals Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard conclude their feud with an unexpectedly long and intense kiss on the racetrack. The scene plays the moment for comedic effect while simultaneously resolving the antagonism between the two drivers. Actors Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen committed fully to the embrace during the improvised conclusion of the race. The moment subverts the typical machismo associated with sports movies through absurd humor.

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

Kathryn Merteuil teaches the naive Cecile Caldwell how to kiss in a park scene that became a pop culture phenomenon. The interaction serves Kathryn’s manipulative scheme to ruin Cecile’s reputation and control the social dynamics of their prep school. This specific moment won the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss and remains a defining image of late nineties teen cinema. It blurred the lines between predatory behavior and genuine exploration within the film’s satirical context.

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

The android David 8 kisses his newer counterpart Walter during a scene involving a flute lesson. Michael Fassbender performs both roles in a sequence that explores themes of narcissism and artificial creation. The intimacy suggests David’s superiority complex and his attempt to seduce Walter into his twisted philosophy. This strange moment emphasizes the uncanny nature of the synthetics in the absence of human oversight.

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

Spy Lorraine Broughton engages in a romantic entanglement with French agent Delphine Lasalle in Berlin. The relationship provides a rare moment of vulnerability for the protagonist amidst the violent espionage action. Their intimacy becomes a plot point when it exposes Delphine to danger from rival intelligence operatives. The film portrays the connection as a genuine respite rather than a mere titillating distraction.

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

Negasonic Teenage Warhead introduces her girlfriend Yukio to the titular anti-hero during a casual encounter at the X-Mansion. This inclusion marked the first openly lesbian couple depicted in a wide-release superhero film. Deadpool reacts to the news with immediate acceptance and enthusiasm rather than making it a punchline. The casual nature of their relationship normalization contrasts with the chaotic violence of the rest of the movie.

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

Composer Robert Frobisher and physicist Rufus Sixsmith share a romantic bond that spans across their segment of the narrative. Their relationship drives the creation of the ‘Cloud Atlas Sextet’ and influences events in future timelines. The film presents their love as a tragic but essential component of the soul’s journey through different lives. This storyline highlights the recurring connections between individuals across time and space.

‘Alexander’ (2004) – Alexander and Bagoas

The historical epic features the Macedonian conqueror sharing a kiss with the eunuch Bagoas. Director Oliver Stone intended to portray the historical bisexuality of Alexander the Great despite studio reservations. The film faced criticism from Greek lawyers who threatened legal action over the depiction of the national hero. The scene serves to illustrate the cultural differences Alexander embraced during his expansion into the Persian Empire.

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