App Store Ridiculousness

I am currently not able to use my iPhone bc there are so many apps that need updating on my phone, free apps at that, but the App Store will not let anything update or let me download anything (emphasis on the FREE part again) bc it says I owe for a movie I purchased over a month ago that apparently despite letting the charge go through and even allowing me to watch the movie (still in my library as we speak) they claim now that nonpayment ever happened. Now I can’t update my lights, can’t access my social media, can’t call my family or text. How is this even remotely ok? And furthermore, why haven’t we all made a mass exodus from Apple with this ridiculous App Store requirement of being required to have an account with money in it to even access free apps (including important ones like apps that control things around your house)?!