For decades, horror movies have fascinated and terrified audiences around the world. While some films offer spine-chilling moments that make you jump in your seat, others go beyond that, leaving people fainting, vomiting, and in some cases, calling for these movies to be banned. These films became so notorious for their disturbing content that they were banned in several countries. Whether it’s the graphic violence, shocking imagery, or eerie supernatural elements, these films went down in history for the fear they caused.
Here, we will dive into some of the scariest horror movies ever made, which were not just terrifying but were even banned due to the intense reactions they triggered.
The Exorcist: The Movie That Shook The World
Released in 1973, The Exorcist is still regarded as one of the most terrifying films ever made. Directed by William Friedkin, the movie tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demonic force and the two priests who attempt to save her. The film became a cultural phenomenon upon release, but it also came with a fair share of controversy.
Despite its critical acclaim, The Exorcist was known for its disturbing effects on viewers. Some audience members fainted, while others reported vomiting during the screenings. The movie’s intense scenes, including the portrayal of the possessed girl and the shocking exorcism rituals, left audiences so horrified that it became one of the few films where viewers reportedly required medical attention. The trailer itself was so terrifying that it was banned in several places, further adding to the film’s legacy as one of the scariest movies of all time.
Accidents on set, injuries to the cast, and even deaths among crew members led many to believe that The Exorcist was cursed. This eerie connection between the film and real-life events only fueled the movie’s reputation as something more than just fiction. Despite—or perhaps because of—its notoriety, the movie went on to become a global success, cementing its place in horror history.
Faces of Death: Banned in 46 Countries
Faces of Death, released in 1978, was a film that took horror to a whole new level. Directed by John Alan Schwartz, the movie showcased graphic and gruesome scenes that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. It was so horrifying that it was banned in a staggering 46 countries.
The film was infamous for its explicit depictions of death, with scenes of real and staged killings presented as part of the narrative. While it is debatable how many of the scenes were real, the film still managed to traumatize viewers. The content was so disturbing that many viewers couldn’t sit through the entire movie. Some countries, including the United Kingdom, banned the film outright, citing violations of obscenity laws.
In the UK, the movie ran afoul of the Obscene Publications Act of 1959, which led to the film being pulled from shelves. It wasn’t until 2003 that Faces of Death was released on DVD in the UK, but only after several minutes of the most disturbing scenes were removed.
Cannibal Holocaust: So Real It Led to Arrests
Released in 1980, Cannibal Holocaust was another movie that left its mark on horror film history. Directed by Ruggero Deodato, the film follows a group of documentary filmmakers who disappear in the Amazon rainforest. When a rescue team goes looking for them, they discover footage that shows the horrifying fate of the filmmakers.
The movie’s extreme violence and graphic depiction of death led to it being banned in multiple countries. To make matters worse, rumors began to circulate that some of the scenes were so realistic that the actors had been killed on camera. This controversy led to the director’s arrest, as authorities suspected him of murdering his cast. Deodato was forced to prove in court that the actors were still alive.
The movie was also infamous for its depiction of animal cruelty, as real animals were killed on-screen. This led to outrage among animal rights groups and further cemented the film’s reputation as one of the most controversial movies of all time. Cannibal Holocaust was eventually banned in more than 50 countries, although it was later released with many of its most disturbing scenes removed.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Horror Inspired by Real-Life Events
The 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre by Tobe Hooper is another classic horror movie that faced bans in multiple countries. Inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein, the film tells the story of a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals in rural Texas. At the heart of the terror is Leatherface, a deranged killer who wears a mask made of human skin.
The movie’s graphic violence and disturbing imagery shocked audiences, leading to calls for the film to be banned. In the United Kingdom, the movie was banned on the recommendation of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Several other countries followed suit, with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre being banned in places like Ireland and West Germany.
The ban didn’t last forever, though. Over time, the movie was released in various countries, although it remains controversial to this day. Despite—or perhaps because of—the controversy, the film is now considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, inspiring numerous sequels, remakes, and spin-offs.
Other Notable Banned Horror Films
In addition to the films mentioned above, several other horror movies have faced bans due to their disturbing content.
- A Serbian Film (2010) – Known for its extreme violence and graphic sexual content, this Serbian horror film was banned in several countries, including Spain, Norway, and Brazil.
- I Spit on Your Grave (1978) – This controversial film featured graphic scenes of sexual violence, leading to it being banned in countries like Australia and Ireland. Despite the controversy, the movie was remade in 2010.
- The Human Centipede 2 (2011) – The sequel to the already disturbing The Human Centipede was banned in the UK and Australia for its explicit content and scenes of torture.
Why Horror Films Get Banned: The Fine Line Between Art and Shock
Horror films often push boundaries, which is what makes them so thrilling to watch. However, there is a fine line between creating fear and crossing into territory that is too disturbing for general audiences. Films that show extreme violence, real-life cruelty, or scenes that some find morally objectionable often find themselves at odds with censors.
In many cases, horror films are banned because they are seen as too graphic or controversial for public consumption. However, the banning of these films often adds to their allure, making people even more curious to see what the fuss is about.
