Top 10 Controversial Shows Similar to ‘The Acolyte’, Ranked

Disney’s recent Star Wars project, ‘The Acolyte,’ sparked numerous controversies and faced significant review-bombing since its premiere. Despite this, the series remained one of the most discussed shows during its broadcast, with fans actively engaging in theories about its characters and the fictional universe.

Now that ‘The Acolyte’s’ first season has concluded, the focus shifts to whether a second season will be commissioned. In the meantime, let’s delve into the controversies surrounding ‘The Acolyte’ from a different angle.

In this article, we’ll list and rank ten series that stirred controversy akin to ‘The Acolyte’—not controversial in a broad sense, but in a manner reminiscent of ‘The Acolyte.’ Each entry will be accompanied by an explanation of its ranking to provide insight into why it’s included.

10. Baby Reindeer

While not entirely identical in terms of controversies, Netflix’s popular dark comedy series sparked significant debate. Based on real-life experiences and featuring real people, the show raised questions about identity and portrayal. Fans speculated about the identities behind the characters, with some confirmed and others remaining mysteries. Despite these controversies, the series remains a controversial hit for Netflix, earning its place on our list.

9. The Sandman

This series offers a sophisticated adaptation of the original comic book narratives, featuring top-tier production values and talented actors. However, it significantly departed from the original comics, particularly in terms of race and gender representation, which stirred considerable backlash among fans. Labeled as “woke” by critics, this controversy became its defining feature for some viewers. While it didn’t rank higher due to its moderate impact, it certainly warranted inclusion on our list.

8. The X-Files, Seasons 10 & 11

‘The X-Files’ was a pioneering series that broke new ground in television. Its original run was a huge success, but its return with Seasons 10 and 11 received mixed reviews. While some episodes were commendable, many were criticized for weak plot execution and silliness. Many fans view these seasons as non-canon and criticize them for exploiting the revival and reboot trend, which has kept them controversial within the fanbase.

7. Good Omens, Season 2

‘Good Omens’ Season 1 was a standout success for Amazon, earning praise for its faithful adaptation and stellar performances. However, when Amazon announced a second season without source material to adapt, confusion arose among fans. The new storyline in Season 2 sparked controversy for its significant changes, perceived weak plot, and accusations of being overly woke and influenced by Tumblr culture. These criticisms landed it a spot on this list of controversial shows.

6. Watchmen

Alan Moore’s revered comic book is often hailed as one of the greatest of all time. Zack Snyder previously adapted it, and Warner Bros. is currently working on an animated version. However, Damon Lindelof’s series sparked significant controversy. Positioned as a quasi-sequel to the original comic, it diverged from its source material by emphasizing racial themes over the comic’s original concepts. Some fans criticized it for being overly woke, particularly in its handling of the character Doctor Manhattan. Despite receiving critical acclaim for its production quality, these controversies have persisted.

5. She-Hulk

Disney is renowned for embedding “the Message” into nearly every project it creates, including those within the MCU. She-Hulk emerged as a notably contentious and polarizing series. While much of the critique focused on production challenges, the show also sparked controversy due to its perceived “wokeness,” prompting us to include it in this list. It stands as one of the most debated MCU television series to date.

4. Star Trek: Discovery

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ is undeniably a significant entry on this list. Since its debut in 2017 (prior to the widespread prominence of woke culture), the series has sparked division among fans. Critics have lauded the show, but audience scores have remained consistently low. Many fans have criticized the series for deviating from the traditional spirit of the franchise. These factors led us to include it in our selection here.

3. The Boys

Eric Kripke’s adaptation of the comic book series of the same name has been a resounding success for Amazon, pushing the boundaries of television since its debut. However, the series, particularly in Season 4, has drawn criticism from fans for its political undertones and satire. Recently, it has been targeted by review-bombers and disgruntled viewers who object to its satirical content. Overall, it’s a highly controversial work that certainly merits inclusion on such a list.

2. Game of Thrones, Season 8

While many fans argue that ‘Game of Thrones’ began to decline midway through its broadcast, the most contentious season was its final one, which left nearly everyone displeased. The writers continue to face criticism from angry fans, with Season 8 often cited as a prime example of how writers can completely derail a show’s conclusion. This is why it holds the second spot on our list.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Despite its high-quality production and intriguing narratives, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ has faced fan backlash since its first episode, largely due to its female lead and perceived “woke” themes. Many fans believe it deviates from the franchise’s spirit and anticipate similar controversy for its upcoming second season. For these reasons, we’ve chosen to place it at the top of our list.

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