Horror films frequently feature graphic or unsettling scenes, which many fans actively seek out. The thrill of being frightened is a key part of the appeal, and some horror enthusiasts even prefer intensely frightening movies over those with less intense scares and milder threats.
The more intense a horror movie gets, the higher the chance it will be banned due to its content. This can happen because some films break rules about acceptable on-screen material, or because they contain upsetting themes or excessive violence that leads authorities to prevent their release.
7) Saló (Or The 120 Days of Sodom)
I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Salò, and how much of a struggle it was just to get it seen. It’s become one of the most talked-about – and controversial – films of the 20th century. Knowing it came out in 1975, and that it was inspired by the incredibly provocative writings of the Marquis de Sade – the very person who gave us the word ‘sadism’ – it’s no surprise it caused so much trouble with censorship boards back then.
The film depicts extremely disturbing scenes of sexual torture taking place in fascist Italy during World War II. Because of this graphic content, it was banned in nine countries, including the United States. While difficult to find and watch, the film remains well-known and continues to spark intense discussion and controversy.
6) A Serbian Film
The 2001 film A Serbian Film is prohibited in numerous European countries. Like other controversial movies, it relies on intense violence and unsettling scenes to convey its message, leading to frequent censorship attempts.
The movie centers around a pornographic actor who takes a job due to money problems, only to realize it’s a dangerous setup. He’s forced to perform increasingly disturbing acts against his will, creating a very unsettling experience for viewers. The film’s graphic content was so intense that it prompted a police investigation to ensure no real abuse occurred during production.
5) Cannibal Holocaust
The film Cannibal Holocaust is infamous for its extreme violence and disturbing content, which led to it being widely banned. It tells the story of a documentary crew who encounter a tribe of cannibals deep within the Amazon rainforest.
Despite the human violence being acted out, real animals were hurt during the making of the film, causing significant public upset. This has made Cannibal Holocaust one of the most debated and shocking horror films of all time, leading to it being banned in the United States and across much of Europe.
4) The Poughkeepsie Tapes
I remember hearing about The Poughkeepsie Tapes being inspired by actual serial killers, which already made it sound pretty intense. The movie itself is presented as found footage – someone discovers these horrible recordings of murders in an old house. Apparently, it was so realistic that people in test screenings were really disturbed by it, and honestly, that’s what drew me in!
Because of these issues, the film was quickly banned before it could be released in 2007. It wasn’t shown for several years, and it wasn’t until a full ten years later that it became available on DVD.
3) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
It’s surprising to find The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on lists of banned films. While the movie is disturbing, it’s actually not very graphic compared to many others that are often banned. However, when it was released in 1974, its content was considered unacceptable.
The movie features a brutal serial killer and is inspired by the true story of Ed Gein, a notorious murderer. This led to it being banned in numerous countries. While not officially banned in the U.S., it originally received an X rating, making it hard for audiences to view.
2) Faces of Death
The film Faces of Death used a claim of being banned in 46 countries as a marketing tactic to generate buzz. While it was genuinely banned in the United Kingdom and Australia, many video stores in the United States chose not to stock it when it was released on VHS.
The film relied heavily on staged violence, but also included actual deaths and involved the killing of animals during production. Disturbingly, in 1986, a teenager committed a murder, claiming the film had inspired his curiosity about taking a life.
1) A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is a famously controversial and often banned film. It’s based on the novel of the same name and offers a critical look at a future where the government tries to control young people by exposing them to violence, hoping to make them more easily manipulated and used to harm others considered undesirable.
The film’s story naturally led to the inclusion of intense violence. Its disturbing plot and content caused numerous bans and legal issues over time, even though it’s widely regarded as a classic science fiction film from the 1970s.
What horror films, if any, do you find go too far? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with others at the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-08 05:14