15 Banned Controversial Films Which Will Not Let You Sleep At Night

Not for the weak-hearted!

I remember how obsessed I was with cult classics and banned movies. That was that until I came across certain movies which I cringed while watching. I did start almost all of these but could only finish a few.

We all love doing things which are restricted, don’t we? The rebellion in us gets some kind of closure by doing that. Or should I call it ‘fulfilment’?

Anyway, here you go. We have compiled a list of controversial/banned films which might be a little too disturbing for you. But if you dare, you may go ahead and watch these.

Might even take your sleep away. But who cares, right?

Read on and see for yourself!

A Clockwork Orange

This is a dystopian crime film released in 1971. It is based on a novel in which a charismatic and antisocial delinquent is imprisoned for rape and murder. He volunteers in an experimental therapy to reduce his sentence but the entire thing takes a wrong turn. There was a self-imposed ban on the movie by the director who withdrew it from British screens.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

This is an American horror film which tells the story of five friends who are being tormented by a chainsaw-wielding killer and his psychopathic family. Although the plot is fictional, the killer was inspired by a real-life murderer Ed Gein. The movie was banned in several countries and many theaters stopped its screening because of complaints about its violence.

The Green Inferno

Released in 2003, this is an American horror movie where two student activists decide to go on a social project: to save the Amazon. But their plane crashes and their entire group is taken captive by a tribe of hungry cannibals. Again, this one was banned in several countries because of its violence and cannibalism.

Scarface

This movie was made in 1932 and is loosely based on the rise and fall of Al Capone. It is said to be one of the boldest, raw and violent gangster-crime films. It was banned in the US because of its “glorification of crime”.

I Spit on Your Grave

This 1978 film was based on a story of a young writer who was brutally raped by four men and was left for dead. She then hunts them down one by one for revenge. It was banned in Canada, Ireland, Norway and Germany. Even if it was released later, it has censored versions.

The Last Temptation of Christ

This is a 1988 American epic-drama film which was directed by Martin Scorsese. It is based on a novel of the same name which depicts the life of Jesus Christ and his struggle with various forms of temptation like lust, fear, doubt, and grief. It has offended a lot of Christians, as expected. The movie was banned or censored for several years & is still banned in Singapore & Philippines.

Hostel

This one is an American horror film trilogy starting in 2005 which tells the story of two students traveling across Europe, being led to a mysterious hostel which ends up with horrific results. The gore and torture in this movie are so gruesome that it is actually tough to watch it all. It was banned in Ukraine. Also, part II of the same was made in 2008 which was banned in New Zealand and many other countries.

The Human Centipede

This one is a 2009 Dutch horror movie telling a story of a mad scientist. I apologise for telling you the gist of the story by putting this picture but I’m sure the name tells you a lot as well. It has three parts; the sequel was banned in the UK. It was also banned in Australia for some time.

The Last House on the Left

This is a 1972 American horror & exploitation film. It is based on the story of some escaped criminals who assault two girls horrifically. They then go to one of the victims’ house and stay the night. The parents of the victim come to know about their identity and what they did to their daughter and seek revenge. It was banned in the 1980s & 1990s at several places before it started having a cult following.

Battle Royale

Another dystopian film, but from Japanese filmmakers this time released in 2000. The concept is similar to the Hunger Games, only more gory and terrifying. In this, teenagers are forced to take part in a televised death match by the Government. I would definitely recommend this one. It was banned in Germany for some time but later the ban was lifted.

A Serbian Film

This is a 2010 Serbian horror movie which shows how one aging porn star, who is struggling to provide for his family, agrees to make a film which contains themes of paedophilia, necrophilia and might ultimately end with his death. It was banned in Spain, Norway, Germany, Australia and many other countries.

Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom

Salò is an Italian-French horror art film which was made in 1975. It is based on four wealthy, corrupt Italian libertines who kidnap 18 teenagers and torture them for a period of 4 months. The film has extreme violence, torture, sadism, perversion, sexuality, and fascism. It was banned in Australia, New Zealand, Iran and several other countries.

Nekromantik

Nekromantik is a 1987 horror exploitation movie made in West Germany. It also contains necrophilia where a couple grows close to a dead body. It was banned outright in Iceland, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore etc.

Antichrist

Antichrist is a 2009 Danish experimental horror film in the English language. It tells the story of a couple who, after the death of their child, retreat to a cabin in the woods. Strange things begin happening as the man starts having strange visions and his wife starts indulging in violent sexual behavior. It was banned in France in 2016.

Cannibal holocaust

This one is an Italian cannibal horror film released back in 1980. It is based on a missing documentary film crew which had gone to the Amazon to film cannibal tribes. It was banned in Italy, Australia, and several other countries. It was so brutal that there were even rumors that some actors were actually killed on camera. It was particularly gruesome towards animals as a lot of it was slaughter took place in real life. I know, it sucks.