10 Most Controversial Movies That Were Banned In America

10. Ecstasy (1933)

This Czech erotic drama stars actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr as a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to an older wealthy man. ‘Ecstasy’ was met with bans and censorship for years due to its nudity—considered highly scandalous at the time. The film was so provocative that even the Vatican and Pope Pius XI publicly condemned it.

9. Scarface (1932)


Long before Al Pacino made Tony Montana iconic, there was the original ‘Scarface,’ inspired by the 1929 novel ‘Armitage Trail.’ This version follows a Chicago gangster named Tony Camonte and was heavily censored for its graphic violence and portrayal of organized crime. It was even banned in several U.S. cities.

8. The Profit (2001)

Although marketed as a work of fiction, ‘The Profit’ faced a five-year distribution ban due to pressure from the Church of Scientology. The film, which explores the formation and manipulation tactics of cults, was accused of being a veiled critique of Scientology, drawing clear parallels to the life of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

7. Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)


One of the most iconic religious satires of all time, ‘Life of Brian’ tells the story of a man mistakenly believed to be the Messiah. Its comedic take on religion was deemed blasphemous by many Christian groups, leading to bans in several U.S. states and cities.

6. Pink Flamingos (1972)


Directed by John Waters, this cult classic was banned in various parts of the U.S. for more than two decades. The film’s graphic sexual content, portrayal of homosexuality (still taboo at the time), and scenes of animal cruelty—including one where a character eats dog feces—pushed boundaries that many were not ready to accept in the 1970s.

5. Birth Control (1917)

Pioneering sex educator Margaret Sanger produced this documentary to advocate for family planning and women’s reproductive rights. However, the film was banned on grounds of “morality, decency, and public safety.” Despite the censorship, Sanger continued her mission, eventually founding one of the first U.S. clinics to educate women about contraception.

4. I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967)


This Swedish erotic drama follows a young woman’s journey as she explores both her sexuality and her views on politics and society. The film stirred outrage in the U.S. for its explicit sexual content, with critics labeling it “obscene.” In one extreme reaction, a theater in Houston was set on fire by an angry arsonist during its screening.

3. Häxan (1922)


This Swedish silent film explores the history and mythology of witchcraft, from the Middle Ages to modern times. With its disturbing visuals, Satanic imagery, and dramatic reenactments of occult practices, ‘Häxan’ was banned in the U.S. for seven years, seen as too extreme and blasphemous for audiences of the time.

2. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)


Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Willem Dafoe, this religious drama reimagines the life of Jesus Christ, focusing on his human struggles with fear, doubt, lust, and love. Religious groups across the U.S. condemned the film for its controversial depictions of Jesus' inner temptations, resulting in protests and bans in multiple regions.

1. The Birth of a Nation (1915)


Widely regarded as one of the most controversial films in cinematic history, D.W. Griffith’s ‘The Birth of a Nation' was condemned for its overt racism and glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. While innovative in terms of filmmaking, its depiction of Black Americans as violent and unintelligent sparked protests and led to bans in some American cities.