‘The Timing is So Wrong’: Netflix Under Fire for Return of ‘Titanic’ Movie Days After Submarine Tragedy

Netflix, the streaming giant, has found itself in a social media storm due to the ill-timed return of the movie “Titanic” on its platform. This move comes shortly after the tragic drowning of the Titan tourist submersible in the North Atlantic Ocean, near the wreck of the real Titanic, which claimed the lives of all five onboard. The insensitivity of the streaming platform in light of this real-world tragedy is the core of the criticism being expressed.

‘Titanic’ is returning to Netflix next week. pic.twitter.com/xuFhK8ORgE

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 24, 2023

Netflix just couldn’t help themselves huh 💀

— IRUNNIA (@Irunnia_) June 24, 2023

The timing is so wrong

— Jaden🌈 (@jadenspov) June 24, 2023

The timing is so wrong

— Jaden🌈 (@jadenspov) June 24, 2023

Netflix saw the opportunity and wasted no time lol

— Marlon M. Farid (@MarleyyBoyy) June 24, 2023

This is CRAZY shameless

— 優木せつ菜 🇦🇷 (@nijigasakilove) June 24, 2023

Netflix’s Move Seen as Insensitive

Despite being a hit film that’s likely to attract viewers, the decision to reintroduce “Titanic” on the Netflix website has been labeled “insensitive” by some users. The iconic film depicts the sinking of the RMS Titanic, an event that could trigger distress in people, given the recent real-life submarine tragedy.

Various comments on social media have underscored this sentiment. A user wrote, “Netflix just couldn’t stop themselves…Huh.” Another added, “The timing is so wrong.” A third user observed, “Netflix saw the opportunity and wasted no time.”

Netflix’s Response to the Backlash

Currently, Netflix has not issued any public response to the backlash. However, given the widespread nature of the criticism, it’s highly likely the company is aware of the situation. It remains to be seen whether Netflix will choose to remove “Titanic” from its platform temporarily or postpone its return to a later date.

The Titan Submersible Tragedy

The controversy around the return of “Titanic” is closely tied to the heartbreaking loss of the Titan submarine. On Thursday, OceanGate Expeditions, the company owning the now-lost submersible, confirmed the death of all five passengers onboard. The announcement followed the discovery of a debris field near the Titanic wreck by a US Coast Guard remote-operating vehicle.

The US Coast Guard said the submarine was lost due to a ‘catastrophic implosion.’ Rear Admiral John Mauger further explained during a press conference that a remote operating vehicle (ROV) from the vessel Horizon Artic discovered the tail cone of the Titan submersible roughly 1600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck, along with additional debris indicative of a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.