The next instalment of Sony's Spider-Man franchise has been removed from UAE cinema websites' sections listing future movie releases.
Vox Cinemas, Roxy Cinemas and Reel Cinemas all list which films are soon to be released, yet Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse no longer features on any of them.
The animation was scheduled for release on June 22. The cinema companies have been approached for comment but at the time of publishing had not responded.
The UAE media regulatory body has not said why the film is no longer listed on cinema websites.
In a statement on social media on Monday, the Emirates Media Council said that it would not permit the distribution of any content that breached the UAE’s values and principles.
The council's tweet read: “Disclaimer: The Emirates Media Council monitors and evaluates the media content circulating locally, and the council confirms that it will not allow the circulation or publication of content contrary to the values and principles of the UAE and the standards of media content in force in the country.”
As of this week, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has grossed $232.3 million in the US and Canada and $164.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide box office of $396.8 million.
Last year, the Disney movie Lightyear was not shown in the UAE.
At the time, the Media Regulatory Office said that the animated feature was denied licensing for public display in cinemas because its content broke national media content regulations.
The government office reminded people that all films screened in cinemas across the country are subject to follow-up and evaluation before the screening date to public.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – in pictures
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Shameik Moore stars as Miles Morales/Spider-Man, alongside Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman. All Photos: Sony Pictures Animation -
The sequel to 2018’s Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is set 16 months after the events of its predecessor -
The film starts with Gwen being invited to join the Spider-Society -
The film includes several iterations of Spider-Man, including Miguel O’Hara / Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) and Miles Morales (Moore). -
The film also features Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) and his daughter Mayday -
Isaac's character clashes with Vulture (Jorma Taccone) -
The film challenges audiences to keep up with its rapid action and thought-provoking themes -
There are sequences where it genuinely feels and looks as though we're watching a painting come to life -
With a run time of two hours and 20 minutes, the film feels a tad too long -
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is packed with breath-breaking visuals -
Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) take on The Spot (Jason Schwartzman).
