10 Movies So Disgusting They Were BANNED From Theatres
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re examining 10 Movies So Disgusting They Were Banned from Theatres. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most visually revolting films that were prohibited from being shown theatrically. Have you managed to stomach any of these movies? Let us know in the comments below!
Written and directed by Ken Russell, “The Devils” is an enormously controversial fictionalized film about the historical French priest Urbain Grandier. Grandier was executed in the 17th century due to accusations of witchcraft. “The Devils” is filled with explicit violence, including scenes of self-harm and Christ being nailed to the cross. This, combined with the movie’s overt and offensive sexual imagery, riled censors around the world. “The Devils” was heavily edited and rated X in the US and UK. It was also outright banned in Finland. People in the latter country weren't able to see the movie until 2001 - three decades after its release.
By today’s standards, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is arguably tame. A good chunk of the violence is committed off-screen, and the film isn’t all that gory, all things considered. This was an intentional creative decision, as director Tobe Hooper wanted a PG rating. That didn’t come close to happening. The MPAA initially bypassed the R rating and went straight to X, the ‘70s equivalent of NC-17. The movie faced an even worse reaction in other countries. Canadian theaters in Ottawa were threatened by authorities for showing it, and the BBFC banned it in Britain for a time. This was one of many locations to outlaw the film, joining the likes of Brazil, Ireland, France, and Sweden - to name a few.
A cult classic of the slasher genre, “Maniac” follows a serial killer named Frank Zito who targets women. The movie initially received poor reviews and was heavily criticized for its violence. Indeed, the killings in “Maniac” are shown in explicit and graphic detail, which doesn’t always make for comfortable viewing. The film came out without a rating in the United States, and the BBFC refused to pass it in the UK. This resulted in a de facto ban, and its release was prohibited for over twenty years. It was finally passed in 2002 with edits, but it didn’t see a full, uncensored release in the country until 2022.
The first “Hostel” was gross enough. But, like many sequels, “Part II” ramped up everything that made the first movie so successful. In this case, that meant turning the violence from extreme and disgusting to borderline unbearable. It was even labeled “sadistic” by the MPAA when they slapped it with an R rating. Some countries weren’t so lenient. The movie was banned in New Zealand, as the necessary edits to eliminate the problematic content weren’t made. It was also heavily censored in Germany. The so-called “extended version” has been outlawed in the country, and the film’s distribution has been made illegal.
Roger Ebert famously dubbed this movie “a vile bag of garbage,” and many censorship boards would agree with him. “I Spit on Your Grave” is an exploitative revenge film in which Jennifer Hills hunts and kills those who’ve hurt her. To this day, the movie is extremely hard to stomach, with lengthy scenes of overt sexual violence. In fact, the producer tried making the movie as revolting as possible. Once it was rated R by the MPAA, more disturbing content was added, warranting an X. Many European countries argued against the content of the movie and prohibited its release in theaters. In fact, it remains banned in Ireland as of 2022.
Society has arguably become more accepting of movie violence throughout the years. What passes as mainstream horror today would struggle to be accepted just a few decades ago. “The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)” is a rare exception, because it’s just that graphic. This infamous film was met with backlash for its horrifying visuals and sick story. It was initially banned by the BBFC, who even argued that it was an “obscene” film that might defy a national Act of Parliament. It was eventually passed following some significant edits. A similar series of events occurred in Australia, and the movie was essentially outlawed in New Zealand. It was never released to theaters, and even the DVD is banned there.
John Waters is one of the most popular cult filmmakers of all time, and “Pink Flamingos” may be his masterpiece. But the midnight movie certainly isn’t for everyone. The entire film calls itself “an exercise in poor taste,” with drag queen Divine playing the so-called “filthiest person alive.” The MPAA gave the movie an NC-17 rating in 1997, citing “a wide range of perversions,” which is an apt description. The ending alone, which involves dog feces, is definitely not for the faint of heart. Perhaps not surprisingly, the movie garnered quite the reputation and was banned in multiple countries, including Switzerland, parts of Norway, and Australia.
Perhaps the most notorious movie of our time, “A Serbian Film”’s reputation certainly precedes it. The story follows a man named Miloš as he is forced to participate in a sickening snuff film. It’s been studied in academic circles, and its director claims that it's a piece of political commentary, but most people struggle to look past its repulsive elements. Filled to the brim with inappropriate elements, “A Serbian Film” has been repeatedly challenged by film censorship boards. Numerous places, including but not limited to Spain and New Zealand, have banned the movie since its 2010 release.
“The Devils” (1971)
Written and directed by Ken Russell, “The Devils” is an enormously controversial fictionalized film about the historical French priest Urbain Grandier. Grandier was executed in the 17th century due to accusations of witchcraft. “The Devils” is filled with explicit violence, including scenes of self-harm and Christ being nailed to the cross. This, combined with the movie’s overt and offensive sexual imagery, riled censors around the world. “The Devils” was heavily edited and rated X in the US and UK. It was also outright banned in Finland. People in the latter country weren't able to see the movie until 2001 - three decades after its release.
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)
By today’s standards, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is arguably tame. A good chunk of the violence is committed off-screen, and the film isn’t all that gory, all things considered. This was an intentional creative decision, as director Tobe Hooper wanted a PG rating. That didn’t come close to happening. The MPAA initially bypassed the R rating and went straight to X, the ‘70s equivalent of NC-17. The movie faced an even worse reaction in other countries. Canadian theaters in Ottawa were threatened by authorities for showing it, and the BBFC banned it in Britain for a time. This was one of many locations to outlaw the film, joining the likes of Brazil, Ireland, France, and Sweden - to name a few.
“Maniac” (1980)
A cult classic of the slasher genre, “Maniac” follows a serial killer named Frank Zito who targets women. The movie initially received poor reviews and was heavily criticized for its violence. Indeed, the killings in “Maniac” are shown in explicit and graphic detail, which doesn’t always make for comfortable viewing. The film came out without a rating in the United States, and the BBFC refused to pass it in the UK. This resulted in a de facto ban, and its release was prohibited for over twenty years. It was finally passed in 2002 with edits, but it didn’t see a full, uncensored release in the country until 2022.
“Hostel: Part II” (2007)
The first “Hostel” was gross enough. But, like many sequels, “Part II” ramped up everything that made the first movie so successful. In this case, that meant turning the violence from extreme and disgusting to borderline unbearable. It was even labeled “sadistic” by the MPAA when they slapped it with an R rating. Some countries weren’t so lenient. The movie was banned in New Zealand, as the necessary edits to eliminate the problematic content weren’t made. It was also heavily censored in Germany. The so-called “extended version” has been outlawed in the country, and the film’s distribution has been made illegal.
“I Spit on Your Grave” (1978)
Roger Ebert famously dubbed this movie “a vile bag of garbage,” and many censorship boards would agree with him. “I Spit on Your Grave” is an exploitative revenge film in which Jennifer Hills hunts and kills those who’ve hurt her. To this day, the movie is extremely hard to stomach, with lengthy scenes of overt sexual violence. In fact, the producer tried making the movie as revolting as possible. Once it was rated R by the MPAA, more disturbing content was added, warranting an X. Many European countries argued against the content of the movie and prohibited its release in theaters. In fact, it remains banned in Ireland as of 2022.
“Cannibal Holocaust” (1980)
There are notorious movies, and then there’s “Cannibal Holocaust.” Much ink has been spilled regarding this movie’s reputation and its place in film history. An early found footage film, it follows a small group of filmmakers who go missing in the Amazon rainforest. The violence is so detailed and graphic that some people thought it was real, and the movie’s director was charged with homicide. Evidence eventually exonerated him. It’s also filled with real animal mistreatment. The controversy snowballed, resulting in widespread bans around the world. The prohibitions reached all corners of the map, including but certainly not limited to New Zealand.“The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)” (2011)
Society has arguably become more accepting of movie violence throughout the years. What passes as mainstream horror today would struggle to be accepted just a few decades ago. “The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)” is a rare exception, because it’s just that graphic. This infamous film was met with backlash for its horrifying visuals and sick story. It was initially banned by the BBFC, who even argued that it was an “obscene” film that might defy a national Act of Parliament. It was eventually passed following some significant edits. A similar series of events occurred in Australia, and the movie was essentially outlawed in New Zealand. It was never released to theaters, and even the DVD is banned there.
“Pink Flamingos” (1972)
John Waters is one of the most popular cult filmmakers of all time, and “Pink Flamingos” may be his masterpiece. But the midnight movie certainly isn’t for everyone. The entire film calls itself “an exercise in poor taste,” with drag queen Divine playing the so-called “filthiest person alive.” The MPAA gave the movie an NC-17 rating in 1997, citing “a wide range of perversions,” which is an apt description. The ending alone, which involves dog feces, is definitely not for the faint of heart. Perhaps not surprisingly, the movie garnered quite the reputation and was banned in multiple countries, including Switzerland, parts of Norway, and Australia.
“A Serbian Film” (2010)
Perhaps the most notorious movie of our time, “A Serbian Film”’s reputation certainly precedes it. The story follows a man named Miloš as he is forced to participate in a sickening snuff film. It’s been studied in academic circles, and its director claims that it's a piece of political commentary, but most people struggle to look past its repulsive elements. Filled to the brim with inappropriate elements, “A Serbian Film” has been repeatedly challenged by film censorship boards. Numerous places, including but not limited to Spain and New Zealand, have banned the movie since its 2010 release.
“Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” (1975)
For many, “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” exists at the ultimate intersection between art and tasteless perversion. The film explores many intense themes and takes cues from some classic works of art. Even its filmmaking is generally well-regarded, and some consider it a classic piece of cinema. But others can’t ignore the depravity at the center of the movie, with the story revolving around the mistreatment of teenagers at the hands of libertines. A slew of countries took umbrage with the content and banned it from theaters, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Even today, “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” makes for a supremely challenging watch.Have an idea you want to see made into a WatchMojo video? Check out our suggest page and submit your idea.
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