The antonym for the word "crowd-pleasing" is "controversial." While a crowd-pleasing event, performance, or idea is one that is widely accepted and approved by the majority, a controversial event, performance, or idea is one that is highly debated, disputed, and often rejected by a significant number of people. A controversial movie, for instance, may have a highly polarized reception, with some viewers raving about it while others condemning it as offensive or inappropriate. Similarly, a controversial political decision may spark intense protests and backlash from the opposition, while a crowd-pleasing one may be widely celebrated and praised.