Ever wonder which horror films pushed the envelope so far they got banned? From demonic possessions to grotesque violence, these movies shocked audiences and censors alike. Imagine a film so intense it came with a barf bag or one so disturbing it was pulled from theaters before its release. Intrigued? Buckle up for a tour of the top 15 banned horror films that dared to go where no others did. You might want to keep the lights on for this one!
Ichi The Killer (2001)
“Ichi the Killer“, Takashi Miike’s 2001 film is banned in 5 countries: Germany, Norway, Malaysia​, Ireland and China. ​A yakuza enforcer named Kakihara, with a penchant for pain, is on a bloody quest to find his missing boss. Enter Ichi, a deeply disturbed assassin who makes Hannibal Lecter look like Mr. Rogers.
This film is a cocktail of extreme violence, dark humor, and scenes so graphic you might want to hide. It’s almost comedic—if your sense of humor is as twisted as a pretzel. Beneath the buckets of blood, there’s a critique of our fascination with media violence. But let’s be real, most of us are too busy not puking to notice​.
The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011)
Ready for another round of stomach-churning terror with banned horror films? Enter “The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)“, Tom Six’s follow-up to his already infamous first film. Banned in six countries—Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Germany, and the Philippines—this sequel pushes the boundaries of taste and decency with gory glee.
The plot follows Martin, a man who decides to create his own “human centipede” with twelve victims. Unlike the first medical horror film, this one dives headfirst into a cesspool of sexual violence, mutilation, and pure depravity. It’s so over the top that the British Board of Film Classification refused to classify it, citing its “sexually violent and potentially obscene” content​.
Exploring the scariest found footage horror films ever made. Let’s hit play on the spookiest tapes ever found!
Braindead (1992)
How can a movie be gory yet hilarious? Enter “Braindead” (also known as Dead Alive in North America), Peter Jackson’s 1992 splatter-comedy masterpiece. Banned in six countries—Finland, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, and the UK—this film is a riot of zombie carnage and slapstick humor.
Set in 1957 Wellington, the story kicks off with Lionel, a mama’s boy whose life turns upside down when his mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey and transforms into a zombie. What follows is a symphony of blood, guts, and gore, all orchestrated with a comic touch that only Peter Jackson could pull off. So, if you’re in the mood for a horror movie that will make you laugh as much as it will make you squirm, give Braindead a try. Just maybe don’t watch it right after dinner.
Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)
One of the most famous banned horror films in cinematic history. “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom“, Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1975 film that is banned in nine countries: Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Finland, Canada, the UK, Italy, Germany, and the USA. This film adapts the Marquis de Sade’s novel, transposing its tale of depravity to fascist Italy in 1944.
The film’s explicit depictions of torture, sexual violence, and sadism have made it notorious and controversial. It was banned in many countries for its graphic content and disturbing themes, with bans lasting decades in some places. Despite—or perhaps because of—its notoriety, Salò has been the subject of much critical discussion and remains one of the most infamous films ever made.
A Serbian Film (2010)
How controversial can a movie get? Enter “A Serbian Film”, a 2010 horror movie that is banned in 12 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Brazil, Singapore, Finland, the UK, and Germany. This film is infamous for its extreme and graphic content, making it one of the most banned films of the 21st century. One too of the most famous banned horror films, but not part of the cinematic history like Salo we might add.
The plot follows a financially struggling porn star who agrees to participate in an “art film” only to discover that he has been drafted into a snuff film involving brutal and depraved acts. The film’s explicit scenes of sexual violence and murder have sparked intense controversy and debate, with critics and audiences divided over its artistic value and moral implications.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
“Cannibal Holocaust“, Ruggero Deodato’s 1980 film is banned in 13 countries, including Australia, the United States, Norway, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore, and Italy. Known for its shocking content, it’s an early example of found-footage horror that combines graphic violence with social commentary.
The plot follows a film crew that encounters a tribe of cannibals and faces gruesome consequences for exploiting them. The film’s realistic depictions of violence against both humans (staged) and animals (real) sparked outrage and gave it the title of one of the most notorious banned horror films. Deodato even faced murder charges because the effects were so convincing, that he had to prove his actors were still alive.
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
“I Spit on Your Grave” isn’t just a horror film; it’s a test of endurance. This controversial movie, combining a revenge-thriller premise with scenes that make even seasoned horror fans squirm, has been banned in Australia (temporarily), Ireland, Thailand, and Iceland. Whether you see it as a subversive take on vengeance or just an exercise in shock value, one thing’s certain: it’s the cinematic equivalent of stepping on Lego pieces barefoot. Watch at your own risk, and maybe keep a comforting blanket nearby.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Who knew a low-budget film could become legendary? “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” did just that, proving you don’t need a big budget to scare the pants off audiences. With Gunnar Hansen as the terrifying Leatherface, this gritty slasher flick broke new ground in horror. Despite its name, the film isn’t all that graphically violent, often implying its gruesome acts. Yet, the anxiety it induces was enough to get it banned in 14 countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Brazil, Chile, Finland, France, Iceland, Norway, Singapore, West Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Africa (temporarily). It’s the ultimate lesson: sometimes, what you don’t see is scarier than what you do.
The Last House on the Left (2009)
Wes Craven’s “The Last House on the Left” is a gritty exploration of revenge that pushed boundaries. The film follows teen Mari and her friend, who are kidnapped and brutalized by sadistic convicts. Mari’s escape leads her back home, only to discover her parents have unwittingly sheltered her tormentors. What follows is a brutal act of vengeance.
Despite its R rating in the US, the UK kept it censored until 2002 due to graphic depictions of sexual violence. Australia never submitted it for release, anticipating censorship issues, and New Zealand also banned it. The controversy and bans didn’t hinder Craven; instead, they paved the way for his future successes, including ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Scream’. This film proves that sometimes, the most shocking stories leave the deepest mark.
The Exorcist (1973)
The iconic “The Exorcist” still holds its title as the scariest movie ever, even after 50 years. Its depiction of demonic possession, especially of a little girl, sent shivers down the spines of viewers and religious groups alike. The backlash was so intense that the film got banned in Tunisia and several parts of the United Kingdom. Even its trailer, with its terrifying strobe effects, was deemed too much.
Interestingly, these bans only fueled the film’s hype, drawing even more curious viewers. Supported by the director who saw the censorship as a marketing boon, ‘The Exorcist’ became one of the highest-grossing horror movies of all time. So, if you haven’t watched it yet, just remember: it’s not just a film, it’s an experience.
Maniac (1980)
Among the pantheon of banned horror films, “Maniac” stands out as one of the most disturbing. This 1980 slasher follows a psychopathic killer on a murderous rampage through New York, featuring graphic scenes of scalping that earned it infamy and several bans. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) banned it in the UK for over 20 years, finally relenting in 2002 with 58 seconds of cuts.
Banned in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, ‘Maniac’ faced significant hurdles before reaching audiences. In Australia, it was banned for a few months and had to undergo multiple edits before its US release. Even the 2012 remake couldn’t escape controversy, as it too was banned in New Zealand for graphic violence. ‘Maniac’ exemplifies the era’s trend towards pushing slasher films to their most extreme limits, reflecting both the fascination and revulsion such movies could provoke.
Martyrs (2008)
“Martyrs,” a 2008 French film, follows two women seeking vengeance against a mysterious cult. The presenting effects are so realistic and the content so graphic that it’s hard to stomach. During its premiere at French film festivals, viewers walked out, vomited, or even fainted. Now that’s some intense cinema!
Due to these reactions, the French film rating system slapped it with an 18+ rating—a virtual death sentence for movies in France. After an appeal, it was downgraded to 16+, but that didn’t make it any easier for American audiences. In the US, ‘Martyrs’ went straight to DVD.Â
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
Imagine finding a collection of tapes depicting a serial killer’s decade-long spree of terror. That’s the unsettling premise of “The Poughkeepsie Tapes.” This film, based on real acts of serial killers, explores found footage discovered in an abandoned house in Poughkeepsie, New York. Although it doesn’t show real footage, the mere suggestion that these horrors were based on reality is enough to haunt viewers.
Banned from home video and streaming release in the United States, the film’s tagline, “The Terror is Real,” hit too close to home. It was pulled from theaters before its 2007 release and only resurfaced on DirecTV in 2014. A DVD release didn’t come until 2017.
The Evil Dead (1981)
Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead” is the quintessential cult classic. This 1981 horror film, Raimi’s directorial debut, follows a group of college students who unwittingly unleash demonic spirits from an audio tape in their secluded cabin. Its success launched Raimi’s career, but not without controversy.
Banned in Ukraine, Finland, and Singapore, ‘The Evil Dead’ features graphic and sexual violence that led to its prohibition in several countries. The numerous gory scenes shocked audiences and kept the film under wraps for years. Raimi’s disregard for potential censorship ensured the film’s place as a hard-to-find yet legendary piece of horror cinema.
Frankenstein (1931)
James Whale’s “Frankenstein” is a cornerstone of horror cinema and remains the definitive adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic. Its 1931 release shocked audiences with its tale of grave-robbing and reanimated corpses, despite being relatively tame by today’s standards. Producers anticipated its unsettling impact so much that the film opens with actor Edward Van Sloan offering “a word of friendly warning” about the upcoming content.
Banned in Ireland, Sweden, Italy, Czechoslovakia, and the Canadian province of Quebec, “Frankenstein” faced significant censorship. Various U.S. states also demanded cuts, particularly the scene where the Monster accidentally drowns a little girl and a line where Dr. Frankenstein compares himself to God—considered blasphemous. Despite the controversy and bans, the film’s legacy endures, proving that even the worst horrors can leave a lasting impression.
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