Movies That Were Banned Around the World: Shocking Films Too Controversial for Their Time

Film has always pushed boundaries—but some movies pushed so hard they were pulled from cinemas, outlawed by governments, or banned outright for decades. Whether for extreme violence, political tension, religious controversy, or moral panic, these films didn’t just spark debate—they sparked fear, outrage, and censorship.

Here are some of the most famous movies that were banned, why they terrified authorities, and how many of them later became cult classics.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

What it was about:
Set in a dystopian future, A Clockwork Orange follows Alex, a charismatic but violently sociopathic teenager who leads a gang through acts of brutal crime—before becoming the subject of a controversial psychological “cure.”

Why it was banned:
The film’s graphic violence, sexual assault scenes, and moral ambiguity caused widespread backlash. In the UK, it was linked to real-life copycat crimes. Kubrick himself withdrew the film from British cinemas, where it remained effectively banned until after his death in 1999.

Status today:
Now considered one of the greatest films ever made—and a landmark in cinematic history.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Director: Ruggero Deodato

What it was about:
A faux-documentary following a missing film crew in the Amazon rainforest, uncovering horrifying acts of violence and cannibalism.

Why it was banned:
The film was so realistic that the director was arrested on suspicion of making a real snuff film. Several countries banned it outright due to extreme gore, sexual violence, and real animal killings shown on screen.

Status today:
Still banned or heavily censored in multiple countries; widely regarded as one of the most disturbing films ever made.

The Interview (2014)

Directors: Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg

What it was about:
A political satire in which two American journalists are recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Why it was banned:
North Korea condemned the film as an “act of war.” Following cyberattacks and threats against cinemas, major theater chains refused to screen it. The movie was banned in several countries and only released digitally in limited markets.

Status today:
A symbol of how geopolitics can directly influence freedom of expression in Hollywood.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Director: Ron Howard

What it was about:
Based on Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, the film explores a conspiracy involving the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ, and secret religious societies.

Why it was banned:
The film was banned or restricted in countries such as India, Egypt, and parts of the Middle East due to accusations of blasphemy and historical distortion of Christian beliefs.

Status today:
Commercially successful, but still controversial in religious circles.

The Exorcist (1973)

Director: William Friedkin

What it was about:
The demonic possession of a young girl and the harrowing attempt to save her through exorcism.

Why it was banned:
The film was deemed too terrifying and sacrilegious. It was banned or heavily censored in countries including the UK (for years), parts of Europe, and Asia due to its graphic imagery and religious themes.

Status today:
Often ranked as the scariest film of all time.

Battle Royale (2000)

Director: Kinji Fukasaku

What it was about:
Japanese schoolchildren are forced by the government to fight to the death on a remote island.

Why it was banned:
Extreme violence involving minors led to bans in several countries and delayed releases elsewhere. Some governments feared it could inspire youth violence.

Status today:
A cult classic—and often compared to The Hunger Games.

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini

What it was about:
A disturbing adaptation of the Marquis de Sade’s work, depicting extreme abuse and fascist power in World War II Italy.

Why it was banned:
Graphic sexual violence, torture, and degradation led to bans in multiple countries for decades.

Status today:
Still one of the most controversial films ever made.

Why These Movies Were Banned — And Why That Matters

Most of these films weren’t banned because they were poorly made.
They were banned because they challenged power, morality, religion, or comfort.

Censorship often reveals more about society’s fears than the films themselves.

What was once labeled “dangerous” is now studied in film schools, debated by critics, and celebrated for artistic courage.

History shows a pattern:
The films that scare authorities the most often become the ones audiences remember forever.

Because cinema isn’t just entertainment.
It’s confrontation.

And sometimes, that’s exactly why it gets banned.