Is it wrong to spoil a movie your friend hasn't seen?

Guilty

The short answer

Yes, especially in the first weeks after release. After that, the court gives the spoiler more room.

The ruling

From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.

Small claims division

Case no.PC-2026-00473

The friend with Sunday tickets v. The friend who posted the ending

Filed 10/06/2026


Plaintiff
The friend with Sunday tickets
Defendant
The friend who posted the ending

Statement of claim

The movie came out on Friday. On Saturday he posted the ending in our group chat with no warning because he said everyone had seen it. I had tickets for Sunday.


Charge

Disclosure of a film's ending one day after release, in a shared chat, without warning

Judgment

Guilty

Friend found guilty of posting the ending one day after release

Sentence

The defendant will buy the plaintiff a ticket to a film of the plaintiff's choosing and say nothing about it before or after.


Public record copyForm PC-1

Just for fun. Written by a computer judge. Not a real court, not legal advice, no legal effect.


How the court usually rules on this

The court uses a sliding window. In the first two weeks after release a spoiler is almost always an offense. After a few months, and for anything older than a year, it rarely is. Posting it where the friend cannot avoid it, such as a shared group, counts against the defendant.

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