Top 10 Movie Scenes That Caused Massive Backlash

“The Interview” (2014)

All things considered, this 2014 political satire was pretty brazen. Not only does it portray a feared political figure as an overly-sensitive man-child who loves Katy Perry, but it also features his fiery demise. While delivered in a darkly comedic fashion, the ending sparked a global uproar, leading North Korean to condemn “The Interview” before it even came out. In fact, they referred to it as “an act of war” and “undisguised sponsoring of terrorism.” Things escalated when Sony Pictures became the target of a massive cyberattack, wherein hackers issued threats of violence against theaters screening the film. This real-life tension led to several delays and changes to “The Interview’s” release strategy.

“The Flash” (2023)
This box office bomb aimed to celebrate DC’s multiverse, but its use of CGI renderings of past characters fell flat. Similar to Carrie Fisher’s controversial de-aged “appearance” in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and Ian Holm’s posthumous one in “Alien: Romulus,” “The Flash” featured “cameos” of actors who once portrayed DC heroes and villains. Among them were recreations of deceased icons like Adam West, Christopher Reeve, and George Reeves. Critics and fans slammed the cameos as exploitative and disrespectful, not to mention poorly designed and unsettling. A word of advice: if you’re going to tastelessly include digital versions of late performers, at least make sure they’re done well.

“Ecstasy” (1933)

Okay, so by today’s standards, this moment isn’t exactly shocking – but to 1933 audiences, it was downright scandalous. Starring a young Hedy Lamarr, “Ecstasy” features one of the first depictions of female nudity in mainstream cinema, as well as a boundary-pushing climax (and we’re not talking about the film’s finale). This triggered a global uproar, with religious groups and censors decrying the movie as immoral and several countries banning it outright. Even the Pope publicly condemned it. Although the outcry nearly derailed Lamarr’s budding career, “Ecstasy” is recognized as a milestone in movie history even decades later – albeit one forever linked to controversy.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)


Indiana Jones devotees aren’t likely to forget this moment…for better or worse. When Indy finds himself seconds away from being fried in an atomic explosion, he seeks refuge in the only place he can: a refrigerator. Many of us probably wouldn’t think to do this, mostly because it’s preposterous. But the jaw-dropping outcome here is that it works! Plenty of fans exploded with disdain for the scene, citing its absurdity and seeing it as an outlandish insult to plausible reality. Even worse, viewers declared this to be the exact instant that the “Jones” franchise had given up on good storytelling. It even birthed the phrase “nuked the fridge,” a cinematic equivalent to television pop culture’s famous term, “jumped the shark.”

“Remember Me” (2010)

Allen Coulter’s 2010 drama starts as a typical romance film – until it takes an unexpected and unwelcome turn. The movie reveals that its protagonist dies in the 9/11 attacks, a twist that many viewers found unnecessary and even offensive. The decision was criticized for exploiting the tragedy of September 11 for emotional manipulation. Audiences also felt the story trivialized the real-life victims’ loss, especially given the tone leading up to the twist. As Lisa Kennedy of the Denver Post aptly put it, “Such is the danger of borrowing from the enormous to merely entertain.”

“A Clockwork Orange” (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian cult classic is infamous for its disturbing sequences, but perhaps one of its most jarring occurs when the protagonist, Alex, simultaneously performs a brutal attack and jaunty song-and-dance routine. While much of the film shocked audiences, the stark contrast between the cheerful tune and violent assault proved too much for some. Many viewers saw this scene as a glorification of brutality, whereas others debated Kubrick’s intent to highlight society’s desensitization to violence. Some even believed “A Clockwork Orange” to have inspired “copycat crimes.” Regardless of interpretation, there’s no denying this sequence is among the most memorably frightening moments in a film defined by its darkness.

“The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988)
Martin Scorsese’s epic religious drama isn’t the only work to portray Jesus grappling with human struggles, but it stands out for the uproar it caused. Audiences were particularly outraged by a sequence in which Jesus – played by Willem Dafoe – steps down from the cross, marries Mary Magdalene, and lives as a mortal man. Religious groups condemned this choice as blasphemous and a distortion of the Gospels. This plot point launched widespread protests, theater boycotts, and even a terrorist attack in Paris, where a group attempted to burn down a theater screening the film. Decades later, “The Last Temptation of Christ" remains a flashpoint in debates about faith, art, and creative expression.

“Last Tango In Paris” (1972)
Despite being released in 1972, this drama starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider continues to spark outrage. While some hail “Last Tango in Paris” as an erotic masterpiece, its depiction of a graphic and non-consensual act understandably unsettles viewers. Upon its release, the film faced walkouts, protests, and even legal action, with director Bernardo Bertolucci being tried for obscenity in Italy. And it gets much worse behind the camera: Schneider later revealed she felt harassed and manipulated by both Bertolucci and Brando during filming, particularly in the notorious “butter scene.” This revelation makes an already disturbing moment even harder to stomach.

“Psycho” (1960)

Today, it’s one of the most iconic and terrifying segments ever featured in a movie. But in 1960, Marion Crane’s murder was considered ghastly by many audiences. They were appalled at seeing a woman befall such a violent fate, especially in this kind of vulnerable scenario. International censors insisted that the scene be edited before release, with objections to perceived nudity and excessive stabbing-shots being the chief complaints. Other elements also invited pushback, like the notorious toilet flush and the reveal of Mrs. Bates’s remains. But public exasperation surrounding the shower sequence outshone them all. Despite this, “Psycho” towered as the second highest-grossing movie in its debut year. It seems that some moviegoers enjoy a dose of the macabre with their entertainment, even despite controversy.

“The Exorcist” (1973)


It’s no secret that this horror classic “turned some heads.” “The Exorcist” more than did its job of scaring initial audiences, with many viewers fainting and vomiting upon their first watch. In fact, some theaters even had ambulances on hand. The movie has no shortage of creepy moments, from the creepy backwards crawl to the infamous backward head turn to the demon Pazuzu’s foul mouth. But decades after “The Exorcist” hit theaters, watchers are still haunted by the moment when Regan’s mother walks in on her possessed daughter performing a heinous act with a religious artifact. If you’re of the Catholic faith, it doesn’t get any more offensive than this. Needless to say, many critics were not amused.


Did we miss any outrageous scenes? Let us know in the comments!