Netflix under fire for streaming ‘Titanic’ after submarine tragedy

Netflix is facing backlash on social media platforms after announcing plans to stream ‘Titanic’, the 1997 film — days after the submarine tragedy.

On June 18, a submersible named Titan descended into the Atlantic Ocean to explore the ruins of the historic Titanic ship.

The ship went missing after which all five passengers on board were declared dead on June 22.

OceanGate’s Titan submersible was designed to take five people to a depth of 4,000 meters to visit the wreckage of the Titanic. The trip cost around $250,000 per person and could take up to 10 hours.

A few days after the incident, Netflix announced that ‘Titanic’, the 1997 blockbuster by James Cameron, will make its return back to the streaming platform on July 1.

The award-winning film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, will be added alongside a handful of other titles.

Netflix’s decision to bring ‘Titanic’ back to the streaming platform after the submersible tragedy has sparked a chorus of condemnation on Twitter.

While some users called out the entertainment company for allegedly “trying to capitalise off a sad tragedy,” others argued that it was “insensitive” for the streaming giant to secure rights to the movie after the Titan submersible imploded.

A user wrote: “So Netflix was like “lets capitalize on this sub thing real quick…gone head and put TITANIC back in the rotation”.

“And the award for unbelievably insensitive timing goes to @netflix,” another user echoed.

In the wake of the criticism, Variety quoted sources familiar with the arrangement as saying that the timing of Titanic’s arrival on Netflix is a coincidence, adding that the “streamer’s licensing deals are ironed out long in advance”.

Below are some of the reactions:

I love Titanic but I kind of think it’s rude and insensitive that they’re doing adding it back on Netflix NOW. people literally died on the submarine a few days ago??? But they don’t care they just know they’ll get lots of streams/$$$. Sad

— ƆC (@CHXN3L) June 24, 2023

Read the room for once, capitalism https://t.co/0dND1XlAQd

— Ariha Fatimah Arain (@arihafatimah) June 24, 2023

And the award for unbelievably insensitive timing goes to @netflix.

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They can add it to their awards for tirelessly combating representation, and most pathetic attempt at gaslighting their customers.#SaveWarriorNun #WarriorNun
HERE TO STAY https://t.co/CGHiTJmz8X pic.twitter.com/0LjvrbEje2

— WrathOfGrapesN7 ❂ IN THIS LIFE (@WrathOfGrapesN7) June 25, 2023

So Netflix was like "lets capitalize on this sub thing real quick…gone head and put TITANIC back in the rotation."

— Jay Washington (@MrJayWashington) June 27, 2023

Honestly the most hilarious, real, no-bullshit thing about the Titan Sub disaster is seeing Netflix add Titanic to their streaming options IMMEDIATELY. They're not alone, YouTube is like "you remember James Cameron's 2014 doc Deepsea Challenge? No? Well deffo watch it now!"

— 𝙺𝚎𝚗𝚗𝚢 𝙼𝚌𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚗 (@kwmcmillan) June 28, 2023

I didn’t think Netflix would sink so low as to add Titanic to their streaming list.

— Romey Norton (@RomeyNorton) June 26, 2023

Nat Geo World and Netflix thanking God for the missing Titanic submarine for the content they will generate 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Idk84KJ75k

— Nacer Reloaded (@MovieAddicttt) June 22, 2023

Are they serious? James Cameron's "Titanic’ will be added back to Netflix on July 1st after previously being removed last August. Love the movie, but this decision is really in very bad taste. pic.twitter.com/T0dvLESAmh

— Jim Ruocco (@JimRuocco) June 26, 2023

Netflix marketing director: “You know how we could really capitalize on the tragic deaths of those people? Put the Titanic on Netflix for some easy cash because $31.6 billion a year in revenue isn’t enough.”

How broken and sick does your brain have to be to think this way? And…

— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) June 25, 2023