Lightyear, Disney and Pixar’s new animated movie about the origins of Toy Story hero Buzz Lightyear, has been banned from cinemas in the United Arab Emirates, officials said today.
In a tweet announcing the decision, the UAE’s Media Regulatory Office did not give a specific reason for its decision, but the film contains a same-sex kiss.
The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on 16th June, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards. pic.twitter.com/f3iYwXqs1D
— مكتب تنظيم الإعلام (@uaemro) June 13, 2022
The Lightyear ban comes six months after the UAE vowed to stop censoring cinematic releases, instead announcing a 21-plus age rating for films it decides are better suited for older audiences.
Last year, Pixar’s Onward film was reportedly banned by several Middle Eastern countries over a reference to lesbian parents.
In April of this year, Saudi Arabia asked for cuts in the number of “LGBTQ references” featured in Disney’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the end, the film was not screened in the country.
