Top 10 Movies So Offensive They Were Pulled From Theatres

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 movies so offensive they were pulled from theaters. For this list, we’ll be looking at films that were yanked from the big screen by production companies, distributors, and even governments due to their controversial subject matter. We’ll be including films that had screenings canceled at the last minute by distributors or theater chains. Are you offended that a specific flick failed to make our ranking? Or that it was ever banned? Comment below with your thoughts.

#10: “The Outlaw” (1943)

Have you ever heard of a director campaigning to get their own movie canceled? Well, that was Howard Hughes’ strategy for his film, “The Outlaw.” Although the film was completed in 1941, the Motion Picture Association refused to approve it due to the many lingering shots of Jane Russell’s cleavage. Hughes made cuts, but distributor 20th Century Fox decided not to release it. So to drum up public interest, Hughes had staff call up housewives, ministers, and women’s clubs to speak out against the scandalous nature of the film. His plan worked, creating enough hype for the movie to be released in theaters, although it only lasted a week before it was pulled due to violations of the Hays Code.

#9: “Mr. Magoo” (1997)

Mr. Magoo was a beloved fixture of animation in the mid-twentieth century. But the same cannot be said of Disney's 1997 live-action remake starring Leslie Nielsen. Mr. Magoo’s portrayal as stubborn and near-sighted, but incredibly lucky, delighted viewers of the original cartoons, who found the character hilarious. However, audiences have changed, and the remake received criticism even before it was released as mocking people with disabilities. The film also proved to be a box office bomb. After just a few weeks, Disney decided to end the show’s run at theaters.

#8: “I Spit on Your Grave” (1978)

Released as "Day of the Woman," this ultra-graphic grindhouse film originally failed to find a distributor. It was screened at a few drive-ins, with director Meir Zarchi spending his own money on advertising. Only two years later did a distributor decide to pick it up, leading to the new title. However, many were disgusted with the movie’s graphic depictions of sexual assault and violence, describing it as exploitative and void of underlying intent or meaningful exploration of the intense subject matter. As a result, it was reportedly pulled from one United Artist Theater in Chicago, and banned in many countries altogether.

#7: “Life of Brian” (1979)

Any religious satire is sure to cause controversy, and no comics were ever as masterful at it as the Monty Python crew. Verily, verily, we say unto you, the comedic sacrilege of "Life of Brian" and its alternative take on the life of Jesus Christ was a comedy of biblical proportions. And it set the sensibilities of many Christians ablaze. In the United States, petitions were formed, and protests led to cancellations in some states. It was even banned in Ireland and Norway. However, the controversy likely contributed to the film's legacy in the end, as it consistently ranks as one of the top comedy movies ever.

#6: “Freaks” (1932)

Based on the short story “Spurs” written by Tod Robbins, this 1932 film follows a manipulative trapeze artist at a French circus. After her schemes against a carnival sideshow performer are exposed, she faces horrific and violent consequences, as does her accomplice. During test screenings, some audience members reportedly fled the theater, others became sick, and one woman even claimed that the movie caused her to have a miscarriage. In response, the film was edited down from 90 minutes to 64. But even then, reaction was so hostile that MGM pulled the film from release early in the United States.

#5: “Silent Night, Deadly Night” (1984)

The 80s might have been the decade of the slasher-flick, but that didn't mean audiences were without preferences on who should do the slashing. "Silent Night, Deadly Night" features a switchblade-wielding, throat-slitting Kris Kringle. For many, watching their beloved holiday hero ax-murder people was a bridge too far and, overall, kind of made it hard to get into the Christmas spirit. Of course, to be fair, the movie doesn't portray Santa as the serial murderer, but a psychopath dressed like Santa. Backlash began before release however, and the movie ended up getting pulled from theaters after only a short run.

#4: “Postal” (2007)

While there’s always a crowd for political satire, “Postal” seemed to miss the mark on every level. Who’d think that opening an action comedy with the tragic events of 9/11 would be a good idea? Well, look no further than maligned German filmmaker Uwe Boll, a filmmaker who’s made some of the most infamously bad movies in history. Based on the video game of the same name, “Postal” was reportedly set to release across 1,500 in the U.S., but theater distributors ended up pulling out. As a result, it showed in only 21 theaters, and not for long.

#3: “The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988)

While Monty Python took the comedic route, Martin Scorsese’s dramatic portrayal of Christ drew similar ire. The film came with the disclaimer that it was based on “ the fictional exploration of the eternal spiritual conflict”, not the Gospels. But many Christians were outraged by the depiction of a very human Jesus struggling with temptation, including sex. Several Christian groups organized protests, and one even orchestrated a terrorist attack, setting fire to a cinema in Paris. Scorsese faced death threats. Several theater chains, including Edwards Theaters, United Artists, and General Cinemas buckled under pressure and decided not to screen it.

#2: “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” (1975)

This horror art film remains controversial for its graphic depictions of sexual assault, violence, and murder. It’s also been linked to the murder of its director, Pier Paolo Pasolini, although the case is shrouded in mystery. A critique of authoritarianism, consumerism, and corruption, the film focuses on cruel, sadistic abuse of teenage victims. Although "Salo" debuted at the Paris Film Festival and entered Italian cinemas shortly afterward, it only lasted three weeks before being pulled and banned. It also received bans in several other countries.

#1: “The Birth of a Nation” (1915)

In many ways, this film is one of the first examples of the medium’s power for propaganda. Often described as the most racist movie in Hollywood history, “The Birth of a Nation” depicts African Americans as ignorant and aggressive, white Southerners as victims, and the Ku Klux Klan as heroes. Unsurprisingly, it sparked widespread protests from Black communities and leaders. However, it was banned in only a few states and cities. The film's legacy is one of great tragedy, as it revitalized the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in America.