25 most controversial movies of all time. 27M. River of Fundament (2014) 14. " Directed Oct 17, 2019 · Sharon Stone at the Oscars in 1998. Reply reply More repliesMore replies. When it comes to books, my policy is generally Jun 23, 2017 · 1. I don't agree with all their choices, but some are good. It’s marked for its amazing performance by one of South America’s top actors, Gael García Bernal, and also for the personal mark it has for the director himself. The Passion of the Christ (2004) R | 127 min | Drama. losing some great Sep 17, 2006 · Instead they focused on one line in a song that raised the ire of The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Apr 1, 2016 · This is definitely one of Pedro Almodóvar’s most controversial films, opening and showing the world of homosexuality, represented by the love between two friends. Allen is best known for influential films such as "Annie The 25 Most Controversial Movies. 19. The debut feature of notorious nightmare-stirrer/ meteorologist David Lynch, Eraserhead is likely the closest I've ever felt to living in the casual, gnawing Jun 12, 2006 · Entertainment Weekly has an article (?) ranking the 25 most controversial movies of all time. 1996. Considering that premise, it's not such a big surprise that Dec 17, 2014 · Columbia/Getty Images. Rate. Oct 8, 2023 · Pathé Distribution. The first Caused controversy because of the graphic rape content, and the brutal torture scenes. Last Tango in Paris (1972) Rotten Tomatoes® 85%. May 30, 2013 · Quentin Tarantino Oliver-Stone Stanley Kubrick Lars Von Trier Bernardo Bertolucci Gaspar Noe Sam Peckinpah Harmony Korine Pie Paolo Pasolini Larry Clark. Apr 10, 2024 · 22. 78M. At #122 on the list is the infamous Citizen Kane. 20. The 100+ Most Controversial Films of All-Time: Films always have the ability to anger us, divide us, shock us, disgust us, and more. Many felt "Heathers" had a bleak ending. I once played a drinking game where every time someone was either raped, killed, or maimed, you would drink. Over 400 filmgoers have voted on the 15 Disturbing Movies That You Can't Unsee. The movie stars Malcolm McDowell as a young leader of a gang in futuristic London who spends his nights prowling the streets with his goons and terrorizing people. Dec 21, 2022 · This anime also contains romance built on the back of violence, which is an extremely controversial topic, and the female lead is often considered to be an unrealistic fantasy. Feb 28, 2024 · Controversy aside, this film has become one of the classics of its era and is known as one of the greatest films of all time. Some are openly controversial, others are a mere reflex of their time, but each of the movies listed here pushed the boundaries of transgression by elaborating on older or current uncomfortable subjects. The 67th Academy Awards' Best Picture race was one of the best in its history. Some I agree with, others seem kind of ridiculous. 9. New York City’s Quad Cinema is celebrating the history of the X-rated movie with a provocative retrospective highlighting the films that challenged both the MPAA and Jan 4, 2018 · Most Controversial Movie: Clark’s filmography is certainly ripe for picking when it comes this category, but due to the insane fallout “Ken Park” (2002) created, it easily take the spot here. Griffith and released in 1915, is a landmark film in the history of cinema. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ dystopian crime novel of the same name tested audiences’ limits for violence when it was released in 1971. brtw. Reservoir Dogs (Quentin Tarantino, 1992) Feb 26, 2023 · A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Director: Stanley Kubrick. The controversy surrounding it is the only interesting thing about it. – IMDb user rating: 8. Director: Lewis Milestone | Stars: Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray, Arnold Lucy. 91 Metascore. 6. •. Jul 8, 2023 · Published Jul 8, 2023. It is the story of the unhealthy obsession of the middle-aged literary professor Herbert Humbert with the 12 Feb 1, 2016 · Cunning Linguistics – Don’t Look Now (1973) 93%. “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” (1999) Speaking of “South Park,” the feature film “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” is just as controversial as its TV counterpart. Published: Oct 26, 2020 3:31 PM PDT. Apr 21, 2023 · 5. Many observers thought that the counterculture phenomenon Pulp Fiction or the emotionally rousing Stephen King adaptation The Shawshank Redemption would win. Natural Born Killers tells the "romantic" story of two serial killers in love whose psychopathic romance gets insanely glorified by the media. Apr 8, 2015 · This list comprises 25 of the most controversial movies of the 2000s. Glad to see this movie made the list. 1,281 Plays 1,281 Plays 1,281 Plays. Apr 12, 2024 · 10. Oct 22, 2015 · Biopics, or biographical pictures, are a sub-genre of dramas, and have existed since at least the turn of the twentieth century with Georges Melies’ feature-length epic Jeanne D’Arc (1899), continuing with a spate of films during the Great Depression, with Paul Muni starring in several, including Muni featured as an Al Capone-like gangster in Scarface: The Shame of a Nation (1932). S. Basic Instinct. Photo Courtesy: Newmarket Films/IMDb. Robert Flaherty’s genre-defining silent film is a portrait of the Inuit way of life in the Canadian Arctic, and a celebration of love, tradition and survival Jun 13, 2006 · The 25 most controversial movies of all-time. Dec 28, 2023 · Horror films like Cannibal Holocaust are meant to disgust and push the boundaries of good taste, while other films like Midnight Cowboy and Bonnie and Clyde have stood the test of time and have become Hollywood classics. loath. May 4, 2024 · 5. Kill Bill 1 and 2. – Metascore: 77. Usually, films that inspire controversy, outright boycotting, picketing, banning, censorship, or protest contain content that includes graphic sex, violence, homosexuality, religious, political or race-related themes. Lars von Trier could probably have a controversy list all his own, but if one moment from his Apr 8, 2015 · Nevertheless, the alleged anti-Semitic undertone throughout the film brought on most of the controversy surrounding it. Farewell My Concubine (Chen Kaige, 1993, China) Mar 31, 2020 · 9 of the darkest and most controversial teen movies ever made. Basic Instinct, 1992 This film made Sharon Stone, for a brief time, one of the most compelling movie stars on Earth. The "Inside Out" films chronicle the exploits of many different emotions living inside the head of a young girl named Riley. Films directed by Steven Spielberg have been the highest-grossing film of the year on six occasions, and on three occasions have been the highest-grossing film of all time. The Birth Of A Nation (1915) The Birth of a Nation (originally titled The Clansmen), directed by D. Here, then, are a few of the most controversial movies of all time. Aug 30, 2023 · Crash. Disney/Pixar. Reading the plot alone might make you flinch a little and make you think about how All the films on the list are considered at least decent films despite their controversy. Image by Federico Napoli. Some teen movies cover dark or sexual themes that can result in Feb 19, 2024 · Furthermore, Beau Travail features one of the most unforgettable film endings and certainly earns a spot among the best French films of all time. Here, then, are 10 of the most controversial…. 7m. Taking a similar route to Mel Gibson’s much later (and almost as controversial) The Passion Of The Christ, Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ is another film from this list which actually persists as a well-loved work on cinema. . Our countdown includes "Joker", "Nymphomaniac", "Hounddog" and more! Order by People's Vote. Credit: Possession/Shudder. Posted On: 30th May 2013. Bandit Queen (1994) Undoubtedly, the most controversial Bollywood movie ever. Anais is Art is controversial by nature. May 15, 2024 · Some of the most disturbing films, shows, and scenes we've ever seen. ”. In the original story, the Joker shoots Barbara Gordon, AKA Batgirl, paralyzing her. Actually, there have been plenty of rather controversial movies released in the past few years. It can be hard to quantify controversy, to render it to liquid and measure it, but many have tried. December 18, 2019 11:00 Dec 8, 2023 · Judi Dench and Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999. Last Cannibal World (1977) 13. Votes: 243,302 | Gross: $370. Oct 5, 2023 · Today, filmmakers don’t shy away from including a controversial topic in the plot. Aug 3, 2023 · The film’s graphic nature resulted in the movie being released in both an NC-17 version and an R-rated version in the U. 30. The first single these Hall of Famers released is still their most controversial. It was at the center of an obscenity-related UK court case after a Nottingham-based Sep 20, 2023 · Stanley Kubrick delivered one of the most controversial movies of all time with A Clockwork Orange which has also gone down as a cinematic masterpiece from the legendary filmmaker. A German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror. Yep it’s Aladdin. Depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem. Before high-low became a trend in fashion, there was Sharon Stone. 17, 2014. Give Quiz Kudos. Named by Entertainment Weekly as the “most controversial movie of all time” two years after its release, “The Passion of the Christ” became one of the most commercially successful independent films in cinema history. Ross Johnson. Dec 18, 2019 · The 20 Most Controversial Films of the Decade. Dec 27, 2018 · 7. It traverses her rise from the nadir of life, the acme of the illegal profession she was compelled to choose. Cannibal Holocaust (1985) # 20. Lolita. I Dec 2, 2020 · Citizen Kane (1941) - 8. 1. Well, that and gratuitous nudity. So it didn’t come as any great surprise to learn that The Wild Bunch is noted by the director as being influential for him, calling it “a masterpiece beyond compare. 'South Park,' 'Euphoria,' and 'Jerry Springer' are among the most infamous and controversial TV series to ever air. Controversy has surrounded Western movies for decades, often stemming from issues of violence, race, and societal norms. Neon Genesis Evangelion. From "A Serbian Film" in 2010 to "Joker" in 2019, these are the movies that had everyone talking in the 2010s. Nov 22, 2022 · Meant as an anti-drug movie to hopefully compel youth to steer clear of substances, it employed popular rock music of the time to draw in younger viewers and show that even a good girl from an affluent family can succumb to the darker side of life. This Italian motion picture directed by Ruggero Deodato is still one of the most controversial films of all time and ushered in the whole cannibal subgenre of exploitation, as well as the concept of found footage cinema that would be later popularized by the likes of The Blair Witch Project. Contributor. Sources: AMC Filmsite: The 100+ Most Controversial Films of All-Time CineFix: Top 10 Apr 8, 2015 · The addition of torture sequences to the already controversial subject matter made the movie unavoidably uncomfortable for many viewers. " Randy Holmes / Getty Images. SHARE. The movie For this list, we'll be looking at the films from 2000 onwards that stirred up the most conversation or backlash. Dec 28, 2023 · This list of the most controversial movies presents a curated collection that stirs the pot of societal norms and challenges conventional views. Cuties (2020) Cuties by Netflix is perhaps one of the most controversial movies of all time, and surely the most one in recent times. Bonnie and Clyde (1967 - Arthur Penn) Feb 5, 2023 · Natural Born Killers (1994) Oliver Stone is no stranger to controversy, but his 1994 film Natural Born Killers was like a lightning rod for it. 4. W. Orson Welles (who starred in, co-wrote, produced, and directed the movie) was noticed by Hollywood thanks to his controversial radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. 25 Questions. Maruta 2: Laboratory of the Devil (1992) 15. The Wild Bunch (1969) When I think of shockingly violent movies, almost all of the first ones that come to mind are Quentin Tarantino films. Jan 26, 2023 · Released in the summer of 2004, The Day After Tomorrow was directed by Roland Emmerich, who in his career has blown up just about everything in movies like Independence Day, Godzilla, The Patriot This article contains mention of sexual assault. Basic Instinct (1992) Rotten Tomatoes® 55%. Current Top 3: A Serbian Film, The Human Centipede (First Sequence), Cannibal The Most Controversial Films of All Time. 25 Feb 2015 | updated - 07 Apr 2018 | Public Refine See titles to watch instantly, titles you haven't rated, etc. It shouldn't be a surprise that a controversial graphic novel would lead to a controversial film adaptation, but the creators of the R-rated 2016 film Batman: The Killing Joke really outdid themselves. Oct 26, 2020 · There are a lot of great movies coming to Netflix this week, but one in particular caused a ton of controversy back in the day. Jul 7, 2022 · The list includes the most disturbing horror movies as well. For Nov 27, 2023 · The Passion of the Christ (2004) Mel Gibson’s violent retelling of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time. Menu. By negating narrative and almost every convention of documentary, Leviathan drags Cinéma Vérité down to unexplored depths. Oppenheimer’s camera films the “making-of” this film, under the guise that it will be a celebration of their ‘achievements’. 3. By Zack Sharf. Her role as the voracious novelist and serial killer After getting into a serious car accident, a TV director discovers an underground sub-culture of scarred, omnisexual car-crash victims who use car accidents and the raw sexual energy they produce to try to rejuvenate his sex life with his wife. The film’s loudest critiques came from the Anti-Defamation League, which claimed the film was anti-Semitic for its portrayal of Jews. They usually push the envelope regarding what can be filmed and displayed on the screen, and Mar 5, 2024 · Salò, Possession, and other movies your parents (and also Norway) don't want you to watch. Pretty much everything connected to the movie is controversial in some way. Most of them can also serve as a guide of the development, refreshment and nature of cinematic controversy in history. I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967) Rotten Tomatoes® 52%. Dec 7, 2014 · The material itself is not particularly controversial, it is Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel’s composition and execution of the film which are the cause for debate. Instead, the idyllic and saccharine historical drama Forrest Gump won. Other ‘Disney’ films mentioned on the list were: Kids, one of the early controversial films from the Weinstien Brothers division; and two films Disney passed on, The Passion Of The Christ and Farenheit 911. 14. In 1998, the actress wore a white button-up from Gap with a Vera Wang skirt to the Oscars Sorta like 9 Songs. Apr 11, 2018 · Lolita, published in 1955, is one of the most famous controversial books of all time. March 5, 2024. 1. Natural Born Killers (1994) Natural Born Killers (1994) What gets Natural Born Killers on the list of the 10 most controversial movies of all time is its extreme and unflinching violence. , but only the NC-17 cut was advertised as “the most controversial Feb 3, 2024 · 6 Eraserhead (1977) Image via AFI. One of the most controversial upsets in Oscars history was when Shakespeare in Love triumphed at the Oscars over Saving Private Ryan (now felt to be one of Apr 12, 2024 · Aside from making history by becoming the first NC-17-rated film released exclusively on a streaming service, it became controversial due to its divisive – some argue, unethical – portrayal of Dec 5, 2018 · A Clockwork Orange – 1971. Billy Givens. Dec 7, 2023 · Image via NEON. In 1998, AFI invited more than 1,500 leaders from across the American film community – screenwriters, directors, actors, producers, cinematographers, editors, executives, film historians and critics among them – to choose from a list of 400 nominated films compiled by AFI and Mar 4, 2021 · 16 of the most controversial celebrity interviews of all time. Photo: Fathom Events. Westerns faced censorship The 100+ Most Controversial Films of All-Time: Films always have the ability to anger us, divide us, shock us, disgust us, and more. This list represents the best of those attempts, ranking controversial movies in terms of their controversial-ness. Most Controversial Movies of All Time. One of the best horror films of the 2000s, "The Descent" delivers plenty of thrills, even if it hasn't achieved the same staying power as "The Ring" or "The Grudge. Watch on Max 22 'The Intouchables' (2011) Apr 13, 2024 · Inside Out 2. 25. Rambo. Comments. This popular mecha anime is one of the most divisive titles in all of the anime, with good reason. Jul 8, 2021 · Woody Allen. Sep 13, 2016 · Look at it! These are men, men like you!” [9]. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 23 Most Controversial Movies of Each Year (2000-2022). Horror legend Wes Craven's unapologetically sleazy film about two girls tortured and raped in the woods by a gang of thugs was especially Jan 30, 2020 · The Last Temptation Of Christ. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) Rotten Tomatoes® 81%. 18. Nov 15, 2017 · The film spawned much controversy in mainland China due to the extensive sex scenes, and Tang was banned from all media in the country for a time. However, the only emotion many fans felt Nov 10, 2023 · Batman: The Killing Joke. Teeth (2007) In a grossly weird and unimaginable sort of story, ‘Teeth’ revolves around a teenage girl named Dawn, who has a rare (and fictional) medical condition called “vagina dentata”. The Interview is only the latest movie to spark debate. Films always have the ability to anger us, divide us, shock us, disgust us, and more. Antichrist. Think of Cuties (2020), Mulan (2020), or Unplanned (2020). Director: Mel Gibson | Stars: Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov. In the Jungle: The Making of Cannibal Holocaust (2003) 21. When the conversation of Hollywood's most influential and successful directors comes up, Woody Allen is a favorite choice. Booze-swilling, drug-toting maverick Oct 29, 2012 · Some are legendary, others obscure, but all are important in one way or another. Even blockbusters such as Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) and Me Before You (2016) were deemed controversial. Daniel D'Addario @DPD_ TIME Photo; Dec. Megan Fox appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live. It all Nov 26, 2009 · Since then, movies have been an ongoing magnet for controversy, from Deep Throat (1972) to The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) to Kids (1995), while some — such as Cannibal Holocaust (1980) — resulted in the trial of their directors before the courts. Regarded as sharp, effective and openly challenging, “Hard Candy” is an intelligent alternative to the many popular sadistic horror flicks that abounded in the mid-2000s. Whether it's film, television, music, or literature, every medium under the sun seeks to challenge viewpoints, provoke emotions, and incite debates among people who The very first edition of AFI's 100 Years100 Movies is a list of the 100 greatest American films of all time. Read more. 8. Jan 31, 2023 · Taxi Driver (1976) In addition to giving us one of the all-time classic movie lines, Taxi Driver also provided film fans with one of the most hotly debated finales in cinematic history. This list is all about what you think. The main character, a 15-year-old girl, struggles to find her identity and begins to descend into Apr 7, 2024 · Niki Marvin. Aug 10, 2018 · Salo, or The 120 Days of Sodom. Dec 7, 2014 · Surely the most famous documentary on the list, if not of all time, Nanook of the North stands as the earliest feature-length anthropological documentary, and a landmark in film history. 11. Although she initially doesn’t realize it and bites off the organ of a man having The Cure. New World Pictures. A Ma Soeur! - Shock Ending (2001) For the most part of the picture, A ma soeur! is a drama about the erotic awakening of two teenage sisters on holiday - one is attractive - Elena. I look several online lists, weighted them based on reputability, and added up the numbers. Directed by the mercurial Shekhar Kapur, the movie is a biopic of the notorious gang leader Phoolan Devi. Frontman Robert Smith has said the song is a condensed take on the 1940s French novel L'Étranger ( The All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Passed | 152 min | Drama, War. It fails in every aspect of film. Caligula has never been considered a decent film. Jan 28, 2022 · A Clockwork Orange (1971) HBO Max. – Runtime: 136 minutes. Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now — a 1973 adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier short story about a pair of grieving parents (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) haunted by memories (and possibly more) of their dead daughter — is probably one of the least sexy films on this list. RELATED: 10 Amazing Martin Scorsese Movies Everyone Forgets About. “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” “The Mummy,” “The Invisible Man” — these divinely spooky fairy tales of humanized Apr 10, 2024 · Level Of Violence: Mel Gibson's 2004 film The Passion of the Christ became one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time and found a place on TIME magazine's list of the “ Top 10 Most Ridiculously Violent Movies . Celebrities often give interviews to promote projects and Sep 2, 2010 · Can you name the 25 Most Controversial Movies of all time? By PhillyEagles. It's hard to deny that Jan 12, 2022 · Arguably the most controversial album cover of them all, Sex Pistols ’ lone studio album caused utter chaos. EW's The 25 Most Controversial Movies Ever. The Grim Reaper (1980) 12. The film, directed by Oliver Stone, was based on an original script by Quentin Tarantino (who eventually disowned the finished film). In "Late Night with the Devil," late night host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) gets the fright of his life when bringing a supposedly "possessed" little girl on his show as a stunt guest. The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011) Not Rated | 91 min | Horror. Based on the works of the Marquis de Sade, arguably the most controversial author of all time, Pier Paolo Passolini’s Salo developed a reputation for being one of Dec 21, 2022 · The 1930s was an astonishing decade for Hollywood monster movies. Reply reply. Visitor Q (Takashi Miike, 2001) Feb 12, 2013 · 20. Votes: 67,681 | Gross: $3. The Last House on the Left (1972) Hallmark Releasing. 7. Steven Spielberg is the most represented director on the chart, with six films to his credit, occupying the top spot in 1975, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989 and 1993. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Rotten Tomatoes® 89%. Ruben Östlund is a filmmaker best known for his satirical dramedies, with two of his films even being acclaimed enough to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Regarded as one of the most controversial and influential films ever made, it presents a highly problematic portrayal of American history and race relations. 3. 4 (66k) After getting into a serious car accident, a TV director discovers an underground sub-culture of scarred, omnisexual car-crash victims who use car accidents and the raw sexual energy they produce to try to rejuvenate his sex life with his wife. Focused on Clark’s usual penchant for tough living youths, the film also featured unsimulated sex scenes featuring underage teens. Caligula. This film is considered by some to be the most disturbing film of the 20th century, with Cannibal Holocaust as a close second. “A Clockwork Orange,” based on Anthony Burgess’ 1962 novel, is the vividly violent story of a young man who beats, rapes, and murders with no remorse. Nov 15, 2023 · Last Temptation of Christ. This list, meticulously compiled through extensive research and analysis, reflects a blend of audience reactions and critical acclaim, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between viewer sentiments and Dec 7, 2014 · The film’s most important component is the ‘Act’ itself, centred on many of these killers, more than 40 years later, re-enacting the killings as scenes in a movie. Note that this list is by no means complete — there are many, and so we did have to narrow it down. 4 days ago · Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) One of the defining films from Disney in the 1980s, Who Framed Roger Rabbit drew widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike, mostly owing to its then-novel Jul 1, 2015 · Most of the movies listed here are selected for their controversial or cinematographic relevance far beyond their release time. Now let’s get to our original list of controversial films. But, I guess, at the time, something as insane as Aladdin causing a stir, can be a big deal. Now, here's where you come in. df tl iz an kf mu ki bt yb ow