Mary Poppins was genuinely the most complained-about movie of 2024 in the UK – here’s why

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In the year 2024, it was revealed through a recently published report by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), that Mary Poppins (1964) was the film that received the most complaints.

In the years following the initial release of the musical “Mary Poppins,” there were 56 public complaints lodged against it last year. This was due to the film being re-rated from U (universal) to PG (parental guidance suggested), following concerns about discriminatory language that had been used.

The BBFC, following their modification of the rating due to twice using a derogatory term “hottentots,” encountered criticism, prompting certain members of the public to urge that the movie, Mary Poppins, keep its initial U rating.

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In explaining their reasons, the BBFC stated: “Although the film is set in a historical period, the repeated use of the derogatory term ‘hottentots’ goes unchallenged, potentially leading young viewers to inadvertently mimic it without understanding its potential to cause offense.

In addition to the iconic 1964 film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, it was disclosed by the BBFC in 2024 that more modern films such as “Dune: Part Two” and “Saltburn” had faced criticism during that year.

In response to the movie, directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) received 13 complaints about excessive violence. According to these complaints, viewers believed that the use of knives in the film made it too violent for a 12A rating, and they also mentioned that the movie’s somber tone was another contributing factor.

The organization pointed out that since the film Dune: Part Two features fictional weapons and armor, not ones that resemble real-world weapons kids could obtain, it is still considered suitable for viewers aged 12 and above (rated 12A).

Regarding Saltburn, the highly praised thriller faced 10 complaints due to viewers finding the portrayal of sexual obsession in the movie excessively distressing, leading them to believe it was not suitable for a 15 rating.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: “The BBFC stood firm with the movie’s rating, recognizing its dark humor and the fact that while some scenes were intense, they didn’t contain explicit nudity or graphic details.

Mary Poppins is currently available to stream on Disney+.

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2025-08-05 16:51