Controversial Movies That Were Banned In America

The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Image Source / NPROriginally called 'The Clansman', this silent movie was banned in many places in America due to the racist content. Black people in the film are portrayed by white actors in blackface and Ku Klux Klan members are shown as the heroes. Despite its outdated views, the film is considered a technical advancement in cinema history.

Birth Control (1917)

Image Source / Woodstock WhispererApparently the idea of being educated on sexual health and birth control was a controversial subject back in 1917. The film was made by Margaret Sanger, a sexual health educator who wanted to make a film about family planning. It was decided the film should be censored, however, to protect 'decency', 'public safety' and 'welfare'.

Häxan (1922)

Image Source / Celluloid Wicker ManThere's something even more unnerving about a silent movie when it's in the horror genre, but it wasn't the silence that was a problem for this flick. This Swedish movie was banned for several years because of themes of witchcraft, Satanism, torture and nudity.

Scarface (1932)

Image Source / IMDbNo, not the Al Pacino one! This was the original 1929 version based on the novel Armitage Trail. The reason it was banned in some states of the US (and censored in some, too) was because of its glorification of crime - which seems absurd by today's standards of crime movies!

Ecstacy (1933)

Image Source / MoMAThis movie's content was considered too 'highly suggestive' to be given free reign. It featured controversial issues like, you know... sex, and the woman actually being satisfied. The film wasn't allowed to be show in the US until two years after its release, but it was still censored in some states.

The Birth of a Baby (1938)

Image Source / YouTubeThis movie was made as an educational film to show everything you need to know about childbirth. But apparently showing the realities of such a natural phenomenon is enough to bag you a ban. It was labelled 'noneducational' even though it was intended to be the opposite, and received a state ban in New York.

Two-Faced Woman (1941)

Image Source / PinterestActress Greta Garbo starred in this movie that shows her character pretending to be her made-up twin sister in order to get back with her husband. The film was then condemned for its 'un-Christian attitude' towards marriage and its suggestive scenes and costumes. It was then banned in cities across the US.

Obsessione (1943)

Image Source / LetterboxdThis Italian movie is based on the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (not to be confused with the Jack Nicholson movie of the same name!). Not only was it banned in the US, but it was banned for 33 years due to copyright issues relating to the novel.

The Outlaw (1943)

Image Source / IMDbDirector Howard Hughes earned a ban for this movie because he made sure there was far too much focus on actress Jane Russell's breasts. The ban lasted three years, but was eventually lifted after Hughes cut a minute of breasts being shown so the film could be released.

Brewster's Millions (1945)

Image Source / WikipediaThis movie tells the story of American soldier Montague L. Brewster who receives a cash sum from his deceased relative and is pressured to spend it. But the comedy's ban wasn't anything to do with cash - it was banned because the character of Brewster was depicted as being too nice to his black servant.

Lost Boundaries (1949)

Image Source / TCMThis movie's racial themes saw it banned in Atlanta and Memphis. The official report for the reason of its banning outlined that it was likely the film would create 'strife' between white and coloured races, as well as cause 'disturbances' and 'clashes between races'.

The Vanishing Prairie (1954)

Image Source / Disney+Disney films and programs are usually met with applause, so you might be surprised to hear that one of them managed to get banned. This documentary was banned in New York due to a buffalo being shown giving birth. The American Civil Liberties Union contested the ban, and it was eventually lifted.

Portland Exposé (1957)

Image Source / IMDbThis movie was inspired by the life of real life crime boss Jim Elkins, and with this in mind, is a classic gangster-type movie filled with gambling and violence. But the film was banned within a 30-mile radius of Portland after certain people allegedly involved in the crimes threatened to sue.

Victim (1961)

Image Source / IMDbThis thriller deals with a gay lawyer being threatened by unknown blackmailers. The modus operandi of the blackmailers is to get money from wealthy gay people by threatening to out them if they don't pay up. During the time of the film's release, homosexuality was against the law, so it was banned from release in the US and received an X-rating in the UK.

Viva Maria! (1963)

Image Source / DWThis comedy Western starred actresses Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau, and was supposed to be a comic adventure all audiences could enjoy. But Dallas didn't see it that way, because the state banned the movie for its sexual and anti-Catholic content.

Titicut Follies (1967)

Image Source / MUBIThis offering wasn't just a movie, but a documentary movie. It featured real-life patients of a prison for the criminally insane. What could have been a fascinating look into the lives of these inmates was banned from distribution after being considered a 'violation of privacy' for the patients shown in the movie.

I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967)

Image Source / IMDb

Pink Flamingos (1972)

This comedy movie explored homosexuality, animal cruelty, showed explicit sexual content and even included stomach-turning scenes like the lead eating some dog poop. It was banned in some American towns for 25 years for being far too shocking and obscene for some audiences.

The Tin Drum (1979)

This German movie saw a brief ban upon its first release due to it being ruled that it contained 'child pornography'. The scene in particular was alleged to be one depicting oral sex between an underage boy and a grown woman. In a complete turnaround, the movie went on to win an award at the Oscars.

Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

Image Source / The Times of IsraelFans of Monty Python's undeniable comedy might question why Life of Brian was banned, but it all comes down to the story of Christ, after all. Brian isn't the Messiah - and the Christian community were annoyed Christ was being portrayed that way. It was banned in many places across America, but now it's considered a comedy classic.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Image Source / IMDbThe title alone is enough to put you off. This movie, created in found-footage style of cannibalism and intense gore, was banned in several countries. It even needed to be investigated to find out whether the scenes were real. Even staged, the film depicted real animals being killed on screen.

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1981)

Image Source / WattpadThis documentary movie was only 43 minutes in length, but it was still enough to get banned. The story of The Carpenters' singer Karen Carpenter and her battle with anorexia was banned after Richard Carpenter complained about insinuations made against him in the movie.

If You Love This Planet (1982)

Image Source / The Documentary NetworkIn this short movie documentary, physician and anti-nuclear activisit Dr Helen Caldicott talks about the dangers of nuclear waste, weapons and the threat on humanity. While it all sounds like important stuff, it was banned in the US and labelled as 'biased'.

The Last Temptation Of Christ (1988)

Image Source / Entertainment WeeklyAnother controversy based on religion, this epic movie from Martin Scorsese depicted a Jesus Christ that never actually died on the cross. It was inevitably banned in some places in America, but the ban only lasted 6 weeks and it was released worldwide.

Hillary: The Movie (2008)

This on-demand documentary detailed the life of Hillary Clinton, with interviewees discussing the former Secretary of State. The reason for it being banned was because its release date was January 2008, within 30 days of a primary election, and was considered 'electioneering communication'.

The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)

Image Source / Watch DocumentariesThe Yes Men are societal and political activists, and this movie was a documentary featuring staged hoaxes to expose corporate wrongdoing. Due to its content, including performers impersonating executives, it was the subject of legal action from the Chamber of Commerce. This pushed The Yes Men to make the movie available on torrent websites instead.

Controversial: Triumph Of The Will (1934)

Image Source / Harvard Film ArchiveTriumph of the Will is the biggest piece of Nazi propaganda ever known, in the medium of a film showcasing Hitler in his full form at the 1934 Nuremberg Rally. The most disturbing and controversial thing about this movie was that the artistic talent and flair did make everything look good - even when capturing pure evil.

Controversial: A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Image Source / TimeoutStanley Kubrick's infamous movie follows the 'adventures' of a young man going around beating, raping and committing disturbing acts of violence. The understandable backlash to the extreme violence of this movie had many people questioning whether it even had any artistic merit, forcing Kubrick himself to prohibit the showing of the movie in England.

Controversial: Freaks (1932)

Image Source / Time OutThe controversy surrounding this movie, by today's standards at least, is actually grossly unfair. A lot of the backlash came from people being horrified about the deformed circus performers in the movie - actors who actually had deformities in real life. Further violence, like a graphic revenge plot, had to be cut, and the director's career was pretty much ruined for releasing it.

Controversial: Viridiana (1961)

Image Source / Time OutAnother risky movie creation - for the sole reason it's based on religion and bound to upset somebody - Viridiana depicted the story of a young nun who visited her uncle's estate and had her faith tested. The movie was labelled 'blasphemous' and was even attempted to be banned (but never was).

Controversial: Bonnie And Clyde (1967)

Image Source / Time OutWe all know that the story of Bonnie and Clyde, and what they did, is a particularly violent one, and what made this movie controversial was the fact that it showed the extent of that violence. The backlash came when the couple had clear banter against a backdrop of vivid murder scenes, with the movie being labelled 'lacking in taste'. But you could argue it was just giving an unfiltered view of the horrors they committed.

Controversial: Straw Dogs (1971)

Image Source / Time OutThis disturbing film sparked controversy, not because of the brutal rape it includes, but because it poses the question of the main character's wife actually enjoying being raped. This, understandably, exploded into public outcry and demand for the film to be cut, alongside the scenes of the brutal revenge the man takes for her rape.

Controversial: In The Realm Of The Senses

Image Source / Time OutThe controversy from this movie led to authorities actually confiscating the film at the airport when it was on its way to its American film premiere. The movie is chock-full of sex scenes, with a plot based on sexual obsession and the relationship between a hotel owner and his employee. The sex scenes were explicit and violent enough to cause outcry.

Controversial: Cruising (1980)

Image Source / Time OutThis movie began as a bar murder mystery and quickly turned into a controversial piece of media before it even screened. Gay activisits were offended by the depictions of Manhattan's queer underground scene that they actually disrupted the shooting of the movie. On its release, the controversy only increased.

Controversial: Crash (1996)

Image Source / Time OutThere's nothing too controversial about an erotic thriller, or even an underground cult... okay wait, maybe there is, but anyway, most of the controversy from this film was because the erotic cult in question got off on car crashes. In the US, differently rated versions had to be released; in Britain, it was allowed but banned from screening in certain venues.

Controversial: Peeping Tom (1960)

Image Source / Time OutPeeping Tom was the 'Psycho' that didn't get the nod of approval. While Hitchcock's movie about a guy who liked to peep on ladies before killing them was given the go ahead and praised for its filmmaking, 'Peeping Tom' - a film about empathy for the devil - was too controversial, badly received, and banned in some countries of the world.

Controversial: Un Chien Andalou

Image Source / Time OutOnly 16 minute in long, this film short reveals why it was so controversial in one particular memorable shot - namely, a woman having her eye slit by a razor blade. Yep. Which is probably what many people felt like doing to themselves as soon as they'd seen it. The film is a surreal short that shows various disturbing scenarios.

Controversial: The Passion Of The Christ (2004)

Image Source / Film StoriesHere we go again! We already had 'The Last Temptation of Christ' banned on this list so here's another controversial offering when it comes to - well - any story of Christ whatsoever. Mel Gibson's version of the story was not received well - mainly because he raised eyebrows by depicting Jews as sadists, and then showing extremely violent skin-flaying.

Controversial: Kids (1995)

Image Source / NMEIt sounds ridiculous by today's standards that a movie that featured sex, drugs and crime would be so controversial - it's pretty much every movie these days - but because this movie showed underage teens engaging in the revelry, it sparked a backlash, including accusations of child porn.

Controversial: Mother! (2017)

Image Source / Alternate EndingThis movie is all kindsa messed up, so it's no surprise it faced some controversy, but that doesn't mean it isn't an impressive piece of psychological filmmaking. But it depends on how you look at it. Certainly the most disturbing and controversial scene would be the baby having its neck snapped and then eaten...

Controversial: The Devils (1971)

Image Source / Time OutThere's a lot of things you just know are going to be controversial by now on this list, and this movie has them all: sex, violence and insult to religion. All the above takes place in 17th Century France, and it resulted in so many cuts being demanded, as well as an outright ban in Italy.

Controversial: The Moon Is Blue (1953)

Image Source / Time OutNo, the controversy wasn't because the moon isn't, in fact, blue, it was more because of using the words 'virgin', 'mistress' and 'seduce' all in the same movie - and for the 1950s, this was apparently a shocker. The movie's plot was actually supposed to be a comedy about two guys wanting the same girl - you know, pretty much every movie out at the moment.

Controversial: United 93 (2006)

Image Source / Time OutThere's bound to be some sort of controversy or discomfort when you release a plane terrorist movie in light of the 9/11 attacks. United 93 was supposed to be a tasteful and respectful movie about passengers choosing to fight terrorists who have taken over their plane. Controversy came from a dispute over facts or representation, as well as the intense trailer taking people off guard.

Controversial: The Brown Bunny (2003)

Image Source / MUBIThis road movie's controversy began at its Cannes showing over the slow pacing - then escalated due to a certain oral sex scene. Strong words were exchanged and the film was recut - but the oral sex scene managed to be left included in the end.

Controversial: Ken Park (2002)

Image Source / Time OutThe same filmmaker responsible for the movie 'Kids' that received underage-teen-related backlash previously mentioned on this list went on to create this one, too - and it depicted underage sex (again), violence (again) and suicide. Because of the dramatic themes, it never managed to get distributed in the US.

Controversial: The Last House On The Left (1972)

Image Source / Time OutAnother film that focuses on rape and revenge (a topic that's always bound to be met with controversy) easily makes a lot of viewers sick to the stomach, and it didn't impress the censor boards, either. Despite being released in 1972, it was still being demanded to be cut right up until 2008.