Screenings of “Creed III” have been disrupted by fights breaking out in the theatres, and independent cinemas have started to pull the film from screenings. Over the weekend, the French media reported over dozen disruptions in separate instances. 

In one instance in the city of Saint Etienne, a security guard suffered a head injury after cans and bottles were thrown. Police were later called. On March 4th, police evacuated 500 people from a cinema in Thionville after a mass brawl broke out where footage of the fight went viral. 

Monday, the CinéCentre complex announced on its website that it was “deprogramming” the movie from its theatres for “inappropriate behavior” that goes against its values. 

In Germany, screenings have been canceled following police being called to settle fights in various cities, including Bremen, Hamburg, and Essen. Media outlets in Germany have questioned the motive behind these fights and wondered if it was part of a social media challenge, similar to audiences dressing in suits for “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” French media denied this and emphasized that media coverage could increase these fights. 

Despite this, however, “Creed III” had its biggest European opening weekend in France, with the movie grossing $7.7 million. It also grossed $4.3 million in Germany, making it a record international opening for the franchise.