Ever wonder if the filmmakers, directors, producers, and even the actors who play the roles ask themselves if the costumes do make sense? Apparently, they do talk about it, but still, the costumes often don’t match what the audience anticipates. Some costume designers might exceed expectations, but plenty of others are getting out of hand.
To be fair, there are a lot of things that need to be considered when coming up with the final design of their suits. The most questionable movie costumes usually arise from comic book characters, actors revealing too much skin, or both. Read on for a look at the most controversial costumes in recent years. Who knows, your favorite characters may have been included on this list!
Olivia Newton-John’s Final Costume in Grease
The movie Grease was a cultural phenomenon, and despite other movies trying to copy it, they never managed to replicate the magic, the chemistry, or the wow factor that the original cast of characters created. Seriously, how many songs and dance steps were popularized by this film?
The most iconic image from this film was also the most controversial. It’s the moment when Sandy, played by Olivia Newton-John, revealed an outfit that truly changed her character in the film and the fashion industry in the real world.
Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz in Clueless
Here’s another classic movie that made its mark on our ever-growing movie industry. When Clueless was released, it gave us a window into what mega-wealthy teenagers were doing in the 90s. It was entertaining, hilarious, and iconic.
If there’s one image that sticks in our minds, it’s the yellow checked suit and high socks worn by Cher Horowitz. It was a bold statement and a big gamble according to the producers, but it paid off.
Jamie Foxx’s Django in Django Unchained
If this is the first time you’ve considered watching one of Quentin Tarantino’s movies, we’d be shocked, but we would understand. It is no secret that Tarantino’s style of movie-making is far different from other directors.
Tarantino is known for including over-the-top scenes and a whole lot of choreographed violence, so he’s not for everyone. As seen in the image, Django is wearing glasses that don't fit with the era they were portraying in the film. The controversy about the glasses died down swiftly because the film was just that good.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in The Suicide Squad
Here’s the first entry on our list regarding a comic book character who was given a controversial costume change. Harley Quinn – also known as Doll Face, Pumpkin Pie, or Pooh – is one of the most popular characters in the DC comic book world.
When The Suicide Squad revealed its Harley Quinn outfit, it raised some eyebrows for two reasons. First, it barely resembles the original costume. Second, it was considered far too revealing.
Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Character in The Seven Year Itch
This is arguably the most recognized image in the history of the film industry. When Marilyn Monroe was filming this scene, they knew the imminent risk. Having been surrounded by photographers on a working city street, her dress blew up which she tried to adjust back.
It was said that the iconic mishap was more popular than the movie itself. However, this might have been the last straw in her relationship with baseball superstar, Joe DiMaggio.
Brie Larson in Captain Marvel
Thankfully, the team behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe listened to fans because if they didn’t, this would have backfired. As mentioned, films that are derived from comic books are often highly criticized due to how impassioned fans are.
Marvel has millions of rabid fans, and many of them let Marvel executives know how they felt about the original plan of having Captain Marvel in a Green and Black suit. It didn’t take long for them to return to the famous blue, red, and gold suit of Captain Marvel.
Ryan Reynolds and His Infamous Suit - Green Lantern
Trying something different isn’t a bad thing as long as you accomplish your goal. However, trying too hard might leave you in trouble. That is exactly what happened with the movie, Green Lantern.
The producers' ideas were great, but according to fans, they failed miserably in execution. Even Ryan Reynolds who played the role of Green Lantern stated a few times that he hated wearing that suit. Luckily for him, he got another chance at superhero superstardom thanks to Deadpool.
The Whole Cast of Inception
While Inception made its mark in the film industry, some things were overlooked due to the many cinematic distractions in the film. If you have a keen eye for detail, then you probably already know what we’re about to discuss.
Most members of the audience didn’t even notice that their suits have a story to tell. If you are going to re-watch the movie, you will notice that each character has costumes designed to reveal key aspects about them.
Michelle Pfeiffer’s Portrayal of Catwoman - Batman Returns
Here’s another iconic character from the DC Universe. When Michelle Pfeiffer got the role of Catwoman, she was excited to show the world why she was chosen to play the famous character.
She received high praise both from passionate fans. Although Pfeiffer enjoyed playing the role, getting into her cat-suit is another story. She even stated that she needs to be powdered up to get into the skin-tight suit.
Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians
This blue gown unexpectedly created a lot of drama. When the romantic-comedy-drama film was released in mid-2018, nobody expected the magnitude of influence it would have all over the world. The movie made a whopping $238.5 million at the box office.
The film is fast-paced, quirky, and relatable. However, what stands out is the gown Rachel Chu wore that had a see-through design on her chest. This was controversial to traditionalists but not to the fashion world.
Superman’s Change of Costume in Man of Steel
As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, DC executives knew what they were doing when they made a bold move in changing the iconic suit of the legendary superhero, Superman. Image is everything, and this was the start of Superman developing a dark side.
The colors are way darker compared to the original, and the filmmakers also ditch Superman’s underwear-on-the-outside look. It created a stir, but if the box office records are anything to go by, DC benefited.
Scarlett Johansson’s Skin-Tight Black Widow Costume - The Avengers
Scarlett Johansson displayed another level of dedication by rocking her wild Black Widow costume. It seems that she must have been vacuumed into her outfit. Yes, The Avengers made tons of money at the box office, and we feel a large portion of it may be due to Scarlett Johansson.
She was vocal when it came to wearing the suit, revealing that it was so tight she wasn’t able to wear anything else underneath. It seems to be working, so why change it?
Aladdin & Jasmine in Aladdin
Here’s a blunder that will make it onto all controversial costume lists. If Marvel and DC have the most rabid fan base, then Disney has the most loyal. When the adaptation of the classic Disney fairytale was released, it made Disney devotees go nuts.
There are certain things you just don’t change just for the sake of changing them. The movie did great, earning an incredible $1.051 billion (worldwide) at the box office, but most fans are still bewildered by the costume changes.
Sylvester Stalone’s Costume - Judge Dredd
Here’s another film that tried hard but failed so badly that even its comic book fans didn't want to talk about it at the time. From the get-go, this film seemed destined to fail.
The script, cast, and filmmakers didn't seem to have a full grip on what Judge Dredd was all about. They actually put a lot of effort into ensuring they perfectly recreated the costumes from the comic book, even going so far as to reject designs from Versace himself! Still, the film failed at the box office. Tough luck, Sly!
Cinderella’s Wardrobe in Cinderella
Introducing the second Disney princess who was questioned due to her wardrobe. Cinderella is arguably the most popular princess in all of Disney’s universe. So, when they created a real-life adaptation of the movie, it presented high expectations from Disney devotees.
The movie turned out to be great, but fans questioned the way the dress was created. It looks like Lily James' waist is the size of Roman Reigns’ biceps. Filmmakers answered all criticism, stating that it was the natural waistline of the actress.
Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard Costume
Regarded as one the greatest vocalists of all time and a major pop culture icon, Whitney Houston took a huge leap with this one. While The Bodyguard isn’t a sci-fi or comic book film, one of the outfits worn by Whitney Houston was highly questionable.
Yes, she was portraying a singer and an actor but still, the outfit didn’t make any sense. Entertainment journalists tried to look into the story behind the costume, but everybody was tight-lipped.
The Ozymandias Suit from Watchmen
It might not have been as big as The Avengers, but Watchmen made a name for itself. The characters and heroes created were so exceptional that other comic book producers were inspired. When Zack Snyder was in the process of creating the film, he made an audacious move in changing the classic Ozymandias suit.
Fans were shocked at this blunder. Snyder stood behind his decision and stated that the costume change was made to ensure each character’s persona was accurately portrayed in their outfit.
The Greatest Costume Blunder In Comic Book History - The X-Men
If you are still upset with the costumes of the X-men characters in the film, then we can’t blame you. The Avengers is probably the most famous group of superheroes right now, but no one can deny the fan power that X-men has. The big question is, what happened to the iconic blue and yellow uniform?
To this day, filmmaker Bryan Singer is adamant about the color change in their outfits. He stated that he wants to keep the crew a little more dark and mysterious.
Jane’s Revealing Wardrobe - Tarzan and His Mate
The year was 1934 when the movie Tarzan and His Mate was released. It exceeded the expectations of moviegoers and critics alike. However, during those times, women were not allowed to show much skin. This movie defied that norm when they revealed Jane’s wardrobe.
The producers and Maureen O’Sullivan, the actress who played the role, were under a great deal of scrutiny after the film’s release. In their defense, the outfit they chose was far better than the other two options.
An Unfortunate Take On The Creature’s Getup - The Shape of Water
The movie was exceptional, garnering prestigious awards. That is no surprise at all knowing that it was directed by the legendary filmmaker, Guillermo Del Toro. Overall, from the script to the characters and backdrops, they raised the bar when it comes to making movies.
However, the greatest mishap came when they tried to make The Creature stand out so much from any other character. Next time, it might be worth reigning it in just a little.
The Wasp’s Dark Costume in Ant-Man and the Wasp
Seriously, what is wrong with the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Is it hard to follow the costume design Jack Kirby created? We are not questioning the box office hits the movie created, but for once, can they recreate the original version of a superhero’s costume, please?
The designers did inform the media that the only reason this costume won over the other possible designs was that Evangeline Lilly could breathe better in it.
Fat Amy’s Sailor Inspired Suit - Pitch Perfect 3
Who hasn't watched any of the Pitch Perfect movies? You are missing out on so much as this musical comedy series is fire. The chemistry between the cast and characters of the film goes beyond the movie set. It is so nice to see that their friendships are still going strong.
However, they were running on fumes when they shared this picture. Apparently, critics were offended by the way they dressed Rebel Wilson compared to her mates. Some considered it body shaming.
Emma Frost’s Icy Attire in X-Men: First Class
We bet the designers in the movie series X-Men don't really know what they are dealing with. First, they had all their superheroes wear tight black suits, then they tried to tone down the image of the characters.
Add this debacle to the list as Emma Frost doesn't look like even the slightest bit like this in the comics. We really feel sorry for January Jones for having to wear this garment. Hopefully, this is the last X-Men-related costume gaffe on our list.
Rose DeWitt Bukater’s Dress in Titanic
We will never see another movie as epic as Titanic. The actors who portrayed the roles were so great, we couldn’t think of anybody who could do better. Who could forget the dress Rose DeWitt Bukater wore during the party?
The dress literally screams elegance, and the public raved about it. In addition, the film's designer won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. This was a great year for the film industry.
Nakia Honored Her Roots in Black Panther
First of all, rest in peace to the King, Chadwick Boseman. Amongst all the movies created by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Panther surpasses them all. The film was heavily influenced by African culture, through their language, beliefs, and clothing.
Nakia’s outfit perfectly describes what the culture is all about. Each color, shape, and size has a meaning deeply tied to the sacred African community. This is one of many reasons why the Black Panther film exploded at the box office.
Carrie Bradshaw Should Have Known Better - Sex and the City the Movie
HBO’s Sex and the City franchise set a standard that most TV networks are still having a hard time outdoing. Carrie Bradshaw, the main protagonist of the show (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), did exceptionally well in the TV series, but fans weren’t so kind about the movie.
Not only did the film flop horribly but Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding dress was also questionable. Do we have to explain further? The picture above paints thousands of words!
Olivia Munn’s Daring Take on Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse
Throughout this list, the main critics of comic-based movies are their frenzied fans. However, this example is a little different. Apparently, people who’ve only ever seen Psylocke in the movies were bothered by her costume. According to many moviegoers, it was unnecessarily provocative and daring.
Munn spoke out about the fiasco surrounding her suit. She stated that it doesn’t matter what she wears, she knows that she is a powerful woman, and she feels she is using her influence for good.
Jena Malone’s Eye-Opening Outfit in Nocturnal Animals
Although the film is rated 7.5 by one of the film industry’s top critics, many still believe that Nocturnal Animals didn’t live up to its hype. It is understandable due to the lack of continuity and a general sense that it was rushed.
However, that was just the start of it as the critics also dove into Jena Malone’s attire. The film’s director, Tom Ford, defended the costume choice, but viewers just didn’t buy it.
Claire Wearing High Heels in Jurassic World
When the much-anticipated movie, Jurassic World was released, there were a lot of questions from fans. First, they were confused about whether or not the movie was even about the dinosaurs.
Fans also wanted to know how durable Claire’s high heels were in the movie. She ran away from dinosaurs at full speed without missing a step or rolling an ankle. Unbelievable!
The Redcoats in Pirates of the Caribbean
While it isn’t the biggest blunder, this one was picked up by many historians. The Pirates Of The Caribbean film saga is one of the best series made in recent years.
Captain Jack Sparrow spearheaded the success of the film. However, the red British Soldier uniforms weren’t around until the mid-1700s, making them a mismatch for the movie’s setting.
Supergirl’s New Costume in Supergirl
Finally, a costume change everybody agreed on, including the critics, the actor, and the filmmakers. When the MCU started doing movies about our beloved Superheroes, DC soon followed suit.
They had their greatest success in the world of TV, so this is where DC has focused their attention. Throughout history, Supergirl's costume has been highly criticized. Thankfully, DC finally came up with a costume that pleased everyone.
David Bowie Risque Clothing in Labyrinth
One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, David Bowie was also a fashion icon. So, when they created Labyrinth, it was almost expected that the movie would entail plenty of fashion statements.
During one of the scenes, David Bowie was shown walking around in questionable pants. It looks like a codpiece from the 1940s, and it is very revealing. When asked about the story behind the garment, the designer stated that they were lucky that it was approved.
Raquel Welch’s Two-Piece in One Million Years B.C.
Raquel Welch was heavily scrutinized when she played the role of Loana, not because of her acting but because of her provocative outfit. To be perfectly honest, her acting wasn’t that great, but the movie still exploded due to this iconic costume.
The filmmakers tried to push the boundaries and attempted to portray what cavemen might have looked like, but this was as far as they could go. Welch even stated that she didn’t want to make the movie.
The Worst Batman Costumes - Batman & Robin
Arguably the most popular superhero in the DC universe, Batman is a force to be reckoned with. His no-nonsense style of fighting and sheer brilliance are the reasons why he’s a part of the Justice League. Batman is known for his high-tech suits, batmobile, and fighting accessories.
However, the George Clooney-led Batman & Robin movie was a disaster waiting to happen. The costumes alone screamed failure. Luckily for us, there was no part two of that movie.
The God of Mischief’s Costumes in Thor
From a comic book perspective, there are certain villains we just can’t hate and then those we would damn to hell. While Loki turned out to be the unlikely ally for our planet’s mightiest heroes, The Avengers, he also earned a place in the heart of most MCU fans.
Loki’s costumes, though, are a different story. Have you seen how tight his costume pants are (especially in the groin area)? Hopefully, Tom Hiddleston is doing okay after sweating it out in those tight pants!
The Lack of Color in Wonder Woman’s Suit - Wonder Woman
Before the movie was even released, there were a variety of questions about Gal Gadot’s costume. Indeed, even the casting of Gadot was controversial. The actress revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live that fans thought she didn’t have the chest to accurately portray their favorite comic book hero.
The designers had enough of all the criticism and stated that the decision about Wonder Woman’s costume was made to show intensity and power instead of using light, playful colors.
The Most Inappropriate Character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
If this movie was released today, it is almost guaranteed that everyone involved would be canceled. The actors would be black-listed and the filmmakers would be lucky to ever work again. The portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi in the film was disgraceful.
As shown in the picture, this is their stereotypical idea of what a Japanese man looked like, and the role was played by a Caucasian actor. The movie was great, but they should have done better with Mr. Yunioshi.
The Makeover Of Merida in Brave
Disney hit the pot of gold when they released Brave. Instead of going to their main ingredients in creating an animated movie, they showed their versatility. Merida is no Cinderella, Snow White, or Ariel. She’s a strong-willed outgoing young lady who is loved by everybody she meets.
However, despite the film being wholesome, it sparked a little bit of controversy when a 2D sketch of Merida was released. It looks like she had an extreme makeover which angered many parents.
Daredevil Dared And Failed - Daredevil
They say you should save the best for last, and here it is. This movie should have dominated the box office, but instead, it was a big flop. Is there anything left to say about it? The cast didn’t believe in the script wholeheartedly, and the costumes were awful.
While it is true that they tried to depict the original Daredevil suit, the materials used are dubious. According to an avid fan, Daredevil must be thankful to be blind as he doesn’t have to see his hideous outfit.