12 Movies That Were Banned Before They Even Came Out 12 Movies That Were Banned Before They Even Came Out

Some movies are so controversial that they never even get the chance to be seen before being banned. Whether due to extreme violence, political themes or religious controversy, certain films have been pulled from release before they could reach audiences. Some eventually found their way to the public, while others remain locked away, unseen by most. Here are 12 movies that were banned before they even came out.

The Day the Clown Cried, 1972 – A Holocaust Film Too Disturbing to Release

This infamous lost film, directed by and starring Jerry Lewis, tells the story of a German clown imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, forced to entertain children before leading them to the gas chambers. Even Lewis himself later regretted making it, calling it “embarrassing” and refusing to release it. The film’s sensitive subject matter and its blending of dark comedy with the horrors of the Holocaust led to its shelving. Only a handful of people have ever seen it and despite rumors of future releases, it remains locked away in archives.

Ken Park, 2002 – A Film So Explicit It Was Banned in Several Countries

Directed by Larry Clark, Ken Park was banned in multiple countries, including Australia and Canada, due to its graphic depictions of teenage sexuality, violence and abuse. The film explores the dark, troubled lives of suburban teenagers in an unfiltered way, making it one of the most controversial films of its time. Its raw and disturbing content led to authorities refusing to classify it for release, preventing it from ever hitting mainstream theaters.

Cannibal Holocaust, 1980 – A Horror Film So Realistic It Sparked a Criminal Investigation

This gruesome found footage horror film was so convincing that Italian authorities believed it was an actual snuff film. Director Ruggero Deodato was arrested on suspicion of murder and had to prove in court that the actors were still alive. The film was banned in over 50 countries due to its extreme violence, sexual assault scenes and real animal cruelty, making it one of the most notorious films ever made. While it was eventually released in some countries with heavy edits, its uncut version remains banned in multiple regions to this day.

The Profit, 2001 – A Scientology Parody That Was Silenced Before Release

A fictionalized take on the origins of Scientology, The Profit was quickly targeted by the Church of Scientology, which used legal action to prevent its release. The film depicted a religious leader closely resembling L. Ron Hubbard and painted the movement as fraudulent. The church fought aggressively to block the film’s distribution and to this day, it remains incredibly difficult to find. Some believe the film was deliberately buried to prevent potential backlash against Scientology.

Grotesque, 2009 – A Torture Film Too Brutal for the UK

This Japanese horror film was banned in the UK before release due to its extreme, sadistic violence. The British Board of Film Classification refused to approve it, calling it “unrelenting and escalating scenes of sadistic violence.” Unlike other banned horror films that eventually received censored versions, Grotesque remains outright prohibited in several countries due to its lack of narrative beyond torture and mutilation.

Visions of Ecstasy, 1989 – The Only Film in UK History Banned for Blasphemy

This short film, which depicted erotic hallucinations of Saint Teresa of Ávila, was banned in the UK before it could be released. The British censors ruled that its sexualized religious imagery was blasphemous and due to the country’s strict laws at the time, the film was completely prohibited. It was not until decades later, when blasphemy laws were changed, that the film was technically allowed to be seen, though by then, its impact had already faded.

Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom, 1975 – One of the Most Infamous Banned Films Ever

Photo Credit: IMDB/CSC/Cineteca Nazionale

Pier Paolo Pasolini’s film, based on the writings of the Marquis de Sade, is one of the most controversial films in history. It was banned in several countries due to its extreme scenes of violence, torture and sexual exploitation. Some nations still refuse to allow its public screening and even where it is legal, it is often heavily censored. The film remains notorious for its shocking content and its brutal critique of fascism.

The Interview, 2014 – A Comedy That Led to International Cyber Warfare

This Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy, which depicted an assassination plot against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, sparked massive international controversy. Before its release, Sony Pictures was hacked by a group linked to North Korea, leading to threats against theaters that planned to screen the movie. The studio initially canceled the release entirely before reversing its decision and offering it via digital streaming. Despite the backlash, the controversy only made the film more popular.

A Serbian Film, 2010 – A Movie So Disturbing It Was Outright Banned

This Serbian horror film is widely considered one of the most disturbing movies ever made. It features extreme violence, grotesque themes and explicit content that led to its ban in multiple countries before it could even hit theaters. The film’s shocking nature caused uproar among critics and audiences alike, with many arguing it crossed every possible line of acceptability. Even in places where it was eventually released, it was heavily censored.

Matilda, 2017 – Banned in Russia for Its Portrayal of the Last Czar

This Russian historical drama about Tsar Nicholas II’s love affair with a ballerina was banned in parts of Russia before its release due to nationalist and religious outrage. Extremist groups saw it as an insult to the country’s last emperor, who was canonized as a saint. The controversy led to violent threats against cinemas and forced some theaters to cancel screenings altogether.

Hail Mary, 1985 – Condemned by the Vatican

Jean-Luc Godard’s modern retelling of the Virgin Mary’s story was banned in some countries before release due to its depiction of nudity and religious themes. The Vatican officially condemned the film, leading to widespread protests and restrictions. Some theaters that planned to show the film faced religious backlash and it remains one of the most controversial religious films of all time.

Love Camp 7, 1969 – A Nazi Exploitation Film That Remains Banned Decades Later

This controversial film, which depicted women in a Nazi concentration camp subjected to abuse, was banned in multiple countries before it could be released. The UK refused to classify the film for distribution and even decades later, it remains one of the few films still effectively banned. Its exploitative content and historical insensitivity make it a film that continues to face restrictions worldwide.

Some movies push the boundaries of storytelling so far that they become too controversial to be released. Whether due to extreme violence, religious outrage or political controversy, these films were deemed too dangerous for mainstream audiences. While some eventually found their way to the public through underground screenings or digital releases, others remain locked away, their content too provocative to ever see the light of day. Regardless of their status, these banned films serve as a reminder of how cinema can challenge, disturb and provoke discussions that sometimes go too far for the world to handle.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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