Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, was one of 2023’s biggest blockbusters, but not all viewers are happy about this movie. Who would have thought a pink-covered fantasy film about a popular toy would cause such controversy?
According to some, Barbie is nothing more than a “man-hating,” “feminist,” and “woke” piece of propaganda. However, online outrage over a female-led film is nothing new. Here are 10 other recent movies that sparked similar objections.
1. Ghostbusters (2016)
It’s safe to say that the female-centric Ghostbusters reboot didn’t win over many fans of the original. Casting Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder) as the dimwitted secretary didn’t do much to appease the anger. The film faced backlash on the internet before it even premiered, and when it finally hit theatres, it bombed at the box office.
2. Charlie’s Angels (2019)
To be fair, 2019’s iteration of Charlie’s Angels was a remake of a modestly successful film series that was the remake of another moderately successful TV show from the 70s. While Elizabeth Bank’s attempt to add a feminist spin to this concept was admirable, the whole thing was doomed to fail before it even began.
3. What Men Want (2019)
Generally speaking, female-led remakes of beloved films don’t get a warm reception. That was certainly the case with this 2019 comedy which pretty much copied the romantic comedy released two decades prior, What Women Want.
4. American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules (2020)
This direct-to-DVD addition to an already tasteless franchise received some criticism for featuring an all-female cast. But it wasn’t any worse than any of the other American Pie Presents movies.
5. Ocean’s 8 (2018)
Reviews for the all-female cast Ocean’s movie starring Sandra Bullock (The Lost City), Cate Blanchett (Tár), and Anne Hathaway (The Intern) were mixed positive. But at the time of release, you could find a plethora of people online grumbling about the film’s “wokeness.” The question remains, was Ocean’s 8 too feminist, or was it a mediocre heist movie capitalizing on the success of its predecessors?
6. The Love Witch (2016)
Yes, The Love Witch is a uniquely terrifying horror reminiscent of 60s technicolor, and it was almost universally acclaimed. That didn’t stop some angry internet users from complaining, especially as director Anna Biller is an outspoken feminist.
7. The Hustle (2019)
Not many people loved this crime comedy. It has a 13% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and an IMDb score of only 5.4/10. Maybe a female-led remake of a remake wasn’t the best idea?
8. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The first Star Wars movie produced by Disney introduced the character of Rey (played by an unknown-at-the-time Daisy Ridley). Despite the movie’s massive success, several voices complained about having a female protagonist in a leading role.
9. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
None of the Terminator movies made after the excellent 1992 sequel were received warmly. But 2019’s Dark Fate started with the murder of John Connor (the John Connor) and instead gave us a new “chosen” protagonist played by Natalia Reyes (Sumergible). Unsurprisingly, fans of the franchise felt cheated, to put it mildly.
10. Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (2020)
This is yet another Margot Robbie movie criticized for its female-centric perspective. However, it didn’t stop most people from enjoying the hilarious flick.
These 11 Movies Prove That Boomers Made The Best Movies in History
Just like cars, houses, shoes, and blue jeans, they just don’t make movies like they used to. These classics from the baby boomers’ heyday show that today’s filmmakers have nothing on those of the past. Take a walk down memory lane with these favorites.
These 11 Movies Prove That Boomers Made The Best Movies in History
The 10 Actors with the Most On-Screen Deaths in Cinema History
These actors have turned dying on screen into an art form. Whether they’ve died a hero’s death or finally gotten their well-deserved punishment as a villain, we’ve watched these 10 actors meet their doom more times than any other. Check them out here:
The 10 Actors with the Most On-Screen Deaths in Cinema History
