Sony Pictures' hit film adaptation of “It Ends With Us” has been banned from showing in Qatar, the Los Angeles Times confirmed Monday.
The country's censorship board rejected the PG-13 film because of the kissing scenes, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment.
Films previously banned in Qatar include “Eternals,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Lightyear” and “West Side Story,” all of which contain LGBTQ+ characters or themes.
Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling romance novel, “It Ends With Us” opened in theaters around the world and grossed $80 million over the weekend, including a better-than-expected $50 million in the U.S. and Canada.
The film stars Blake Lively as a flower shop owner who finds herself caught in a love triangle with her abusive partner and her childhood sweetheart. Rounding out the main cast are Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate and Justin Baldoni, who also directed the film.
The highly anticipated title earned mixed reviews from critics but exceeded initial expectations at the box office, notably rivaling Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” starring Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Despite its exclusion from Qatar, nearly 40% of “It Ends With Us”’s opening weekend haul came from international markets. The film opened in 42 different regions on more than 7,300 screens, according to measurement firm Comscore.
