Throughout history, there have been numerous films that have been banned or censored in the United States for various reasons. Some have been deemed too graphic, while others have been seen as too politically or socially controversial. Here, we’ll take a look at 15-20 films that have been banned in the US and the reasons behind their prohibition.
- Cannibal Holocaust (1980): This film was banned in the US due to its graphic portrayal of violence and animal cruelty. The movie follows a group of filmmakers who venture into the Amazon rainforest to film a documentary about a cannibal tribe.
- Pink Flamingos (1972): This movie was banned due to its graphic sexual content and depiction of the criminal underworld. It follows the story of a woman named Divine who seeks to be named the “filthiest person alive” and engages in various taboo behaviors to achieve that title.
- I Am Curious (1967): This movie was banned due to its frank portrayal of sex and nudity. The film follows a young woman named Lena as she explores her sexuality and political beliefs.
- The Last Temptation of Christ (1988): This film was banned due to its depiction of Jesus Christ in a way that many religious groups found offensive. The movie is based on the novel of the same name and explores the idea of Jesus giving in to temptation.
- Monty Python’s The Life Of Brian (1979): This film was banned due to its portrayal of religious figures in a comedic manner. The movie follows Brian, a man who is mistaken for the Messiah and becomes embroiled in a series of comedic misadventures.
- Haxan (1922): This movie was banned due to its depiction of witchcraft and the occult. The film is a silent horror movie that explores the history of witchcraft and superstition.
- Scarface (1932): This film was banned due to its graphic violence and portrayal of organized crime. The movie follows the rise and fall of a gangster named Tony Camonte.
- Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1981): This movie was banned due to a copyright dispute. It is a biopic of the musician Karen Carpenter that uses Barbie dolls to portray the characters.
- The Tin Drum (1979): This film was banned due to its depiction of child sexuality and its portrayal of Nazi Germany. The movie follows a young boy named Oskar who refuses to grow up and uses his tin drum as a means of protest against the world around him.
- The Profit (2001): This movie was banned due to its portrayal of a fictionalized version of the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. The film explores the life of a man named Jake Galt who creates a new religion called “The Cause.”
- The Birth of a Nation (1915): This movie was banned due to its racist portrayal of African Americans and its glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. The film follows the story of two families during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.
- A Clockwork Orange (1971): This movie was banned in several US states due to its graphic violence and sexual content. It follows the story of a young man named Alex who is a delinquent and is subjected to an experimental treatment to cure his violent tendencies.
- The Exorcist (1973): This film was banned in several US states due to its depiction of demonic possession and graphic violence. The movie follows the story of a young girl named Regan who becomes possessed by a demon, and the efforts of two priests to exorcise her.
- Natural Born Killers (1994): This movie was banned in several US states due to its graphic violence and portrayal of a romanticized view of serial killers. It follows the story of a couple who embark on a killing spree across the country.
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): This film was banned in several US states due to its graphic violence and portrayal of a family of cannibals who terrorize a group of young adults. The movie has since become a cult classic and spawned several sequels and remakes.
These movies have all faced controversy and have been banned in some areas of the United States due to their graphic content or portrayal of sensitive topics. While some may argue that these films are works of art that should be viewed and analyzed, others may believe that they should be banned due to the potential harm they could cause to viewers or society as a whole. Ultimately, it is up to individual states and countries to decide whether or not to ban these movies, and each viewer must decide for themselves whether or not they are comfortable watching them.
In conclusion, these films have been banned in the US for various reasons ranging from graphic violence and sexuality to religious and political controversies. While some may argue that censorship is necessary to protect the public, others argue that it restricts freedom of expression and artistic freedom. Regardless of one’s stance on the matter, these films have been deemed too controversial for American audiences and remain banned to this day.