James Cameron's The Abyss Pulled From Disney+ in the UK Because of Banned 'Rat Abuse' Scene - IGN

James Cameron's The Abyss Pulled From Disney+ in the UK Because of Banned 'Rat Abuse' Scene - IGN

James Cameron’s beloved sci-fi film The Abyss has been removed from Disney+ in the UK due to the inclusion of a banned scene.

ign.com

TL;DR: James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi flick The Abyss has mysteriously vanished from Disney+ UK after viewers spotted the classic (but long-banned) scene of a real rat being dunked in fluorocarbon liquid. Even though the rodent survived, the BBFC cut the scene from cinema, DVD and TV releases decades ago under animal-welfare laws—yet a streaming loophole let it slip onto Disney+ this April.

The RSPCA blew the whistle on this gap in regulations, calling for the scene’s removal to protect both animals and viewers. Disney has now pulled the whole movie in the UK “while we sort this out,” and insists it’s happy to bring The Abyss back—just minus its controversial rat stunt.