Movies Accused of Pandering with Last-Minute Gay Kisses

Major film studios have frequently faced criticism for performative diversity by including brief LGBTQ+ moments that can be easily removed for international distribution. These instances are often marketed as significant milestones for representation, only to appear on screen for a matter of seconds. Audiences and critics alike have noted that these “blink-and-you-miss-it” scenes often involve minor characters rather than central protagonists. The following films have all sparked debate for their inclusion of last-minute queer representation that many felt was a tokenistic attempt at inclusivity.

‘Star Trek Beyond’ (2016)

In a brief scene at Yorktown station, Hikaru Sulu is seen reuniting with his male partner and their young daughter. The two men share an embrace and walk away with their arms around each other, signaling a committed relationship. This creative choice was intended to honor George Takei, but the original actor expressed reservations about altering the character’s backstory. The interaction lasts only a few seconds and has no direct bearing on the primary plot of the film. Critics noted that the scene was designed to be subtle enough to avoid major controversy while still attempting to check a box for representation.

‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ (2016)

This sequel confirms that Dr. Brackish Okun and Dr. Milton Isaacs are a romantic couple during several high-stakes laboratory sequences. While their bond is established through dialogue and physical concern, their romantic history is only explicitly confirmed near the end of the film. Fans of the original movie had long theorized about their relationship, but the late-stage confirmation felt like an afterthought to some viewers. The depiction was criticized for being subtle enough to be missed by casual audiences who were not looking for the subtext. This instance is often cited as a missed opportunity to feature a queer relationship more prominently in a major action blockbuster.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017)

Before the film’s release, the director teased an “exclusively gay moment” involving the character LeFou. In the final ballroom dance sequence, LeFou is briefly seen switching partners to dance with another man for a few seconds. The hype surrounding this moment led to calls for boycotts and sparked international headlines before audiences had even seen the movie. Upon release, many viewers found the moment so brief that it felt inconsequential to the character’s journey. The film was accused by some of using the minor moment primarily as a marketing tool to generate media buzz.

‘Power Rangers’ (2017)

Trini, the Yellow Ranger, is depicted as struggling with her identity in a scene where the team shares their personal secrets around a campfire. When a teammate assumes she is having “boyfriend problems,” she stays silent, and when he asks if it is “girlfriend problems,” she provides a subtle nod of confirmation. This was hailed as the first big-screen LGBTQ+ superhero moment, yet the topic is never revisited for the remainder of the movie. Critics pointed out that the dialogue was intentionally vague, allowing the studio to claim representation without showing it visually. The lack of a romantic interest or further exploration left some fans feeling the moment was half-hearted.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

Co-director Joe Russo makes a cameo as a man in a grief support group who mentions going on a date with another man. This was touted as the first openly gay character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe during the film’s promotional tour. The character is nameless and only appears for a few seconds in a single scene before disappearing from the narrative. Many fans felt that promoting such a minor, nameless cameo as a landmark moment was a form of corporate pandering. The scene was easily translated or removed for international audiences without affecting the overall story.

‘It: Chapter Two’ (2019)

The film begins with a brutal attack on a gay couple who are seen sharing a kiss at a local fair. This scene, adapted from the original novel, was intended to illustrate the systemic hatred present in the town of Derry. Later in the movie, it is heavily implied that Richie Tozier has long-standing feelings for his friend Eddie Kaspbrak. Richie eventually carves their initials into a fence in the final scene, confirming his secret love after a tragic loss. Some viewers felt that including a graphic attack and an unrequited romance followed problematic cinematic tropes rather than providing positive representation.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

The final installment of the sequel trilogy includes a split-second shot of two female Resistance pilots kissing during the victory celebration. This was the first time a same-sex kiss appeared in a live-action ‘Star Wars’ film, following years of fan speculation regarding major characters. Despite the build-up, the characters involved were minor background figures with no significant dialogue or character arcs. The scene was notably removed from the theatrical release in several Middle Eastern countries. Many viewers felt the moment was a shallow gesture that failed to deliver on the franchise’s potential for meaningful diversity.

‘Onward’ (2020)

A minor character named Officer Specter mentions her “girlfriend’s daughter” while speaking to the main characters during a scene on the road. This single line of dialogue constitutes the entirety of the film’s queer representation. While it was a first for a Disney-Pixar animated feature, many viewers felt it was a token gesture that avoided visual confirmation. The line was reportedly altered in some international dubs to remove the reference to a same-sex partner. This led to further criticism that the studio was prioritizing global profits over genuine inclusivity.

‘Strange World’ (2022)

This animated film from Disney features a teenage protagonist, Ethan Clade, who has a clear crush on another boy named Diazo. The film includes scenes where Ethan flirts with Diazo and discusses his feelings with his father and grandfather. While the representation is more integrated than in previous films, it was still met with accusations of pandering by some conservative audiences. Conversely, some members of the LGBTQ+ community felt the romance was kept strictly safe and devoid of significant physical affection. The film struggled at the box office, leading to further discussions about how studios handle diverse storytelling.

‘Eternals’ (2021)

This Marvel entry features Phastos, a member of the cosmic team who is shown living a domestic life with his husband and their son. A poignant scene in the film involves an explicit kiss between Phastos and his partner before the hero goes into battle. While director Chloé Zhao fought to keep the scene intact, it led to the film being pulled from theaters in several regions. Some audiences argued that the domestic scene felt isolated from the main narrative and the other characters. This instance remains one of the most prominent examples of a physical same-sex romantic gesture in a modern superhero blockbuster.

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ (2022)

America Chavez’s origin story is shown in a short flashback sequence where she is raised by two mothers in a utopian dimension. The mothers are seen smiling and holding hands before a magical accident separates them from their daughter. This brief visual confirmation of America’s comic book background led to the film being restricted or banned in various global markets. Critics argued that the characters were essentially props used to establish America’s motivation rather than fully realized people. The total screen time for the couple amounts to less than one minute of the final film.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ (2022)

The film opens with a scene where Albus Dumbledore tells Gellert Grindelwald that he loved him during their youth. This dialogue explicitly confirms a detail that had been a point of contention for fans since the original book series ended. Despite this verbal admission, the film does not show any past or present physical intimacy between the two men. The Chinese release of the film notably cut the lines of dialogue referencing their romantic past. Some fans felt that keeping the relationship strictly verbal was a way to maintain marketability in conservative regions.

‘Lightyear’ (2022)

In this sci-fi adventure, Buzz’s commanding officer Alisha Hawthorne is shown in a montage depicting her long-term relationship and eventual marriage. The sequence features a brief kiss between Alisha and her wife as they celebrate a milestone together. While the scene was initially cut by Disney executives, it was reinstated following a public outcry from Pixar employees. Critics observed that while the relationship was touching, its placement in a montage made it easier to censor in foreign markets. The film was eventually banned in over a dozen countries due to the inclusion of this specific scene.

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ (2022)

Korg, the rock-based alien voiced by Taika Waititi, explains that his species reproduces by two males holding hands over a lava pit. At the end of the film, Korg is shown having found a male partner named Dwayne to start a family with. Additionally, Valkyrie’s interest in women is hinted at when she kisses the hand of a maiden, but her romantic life is not a primary focus. These moments were described by some critics as safe representation that used humor to avoid deeper emotional exploration. The film faced restrictions in some markets due to these brief inclusions.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)

The sequel to the 2018 hit confirms the relationship between Dora Milaje members Ayo and Aneka during a brief scene at the film’s conclusion. Aneka kisses Ayo on the forehead during a celebration, acknowledging their romantic connection from the comics. This moment was criticized for being significantly scaled back compared to the source material, where their relationship is central to their story. The scene was reportedly edited out of the version of the film screened in Kuwait. Many fans felt the brief acknowledgment was a missed opportunity to showcase a queer relationship between established characters.

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