Top 10 Movies That Caused Huge Scandals

Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange is a dystopian masterpiece, but it caused such an uproar that the director pulled it from British cinemas himself. Based on Anthony Burgess' novel, it follows Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell), a sadistic delinquent devoted to 'ultraviolence'. It was accused of inspiring copycat crimes, Kubrick received threats, and it wasn't officially re-released in the UK until after his death.

Religious films are often controversial, but Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ sparked mass protests, threats and even attacks on cinemas. It portrays Jesus not as a divine figure but as a man who doubts his role and struggles with human desires, including an alternate-reality sequence with Mary Magdalene. In France, a cinema was even set on fire in protest.

Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salò may be the most reviled film of all time. Based on the work of the Marquis de Sade, it depicts the sadistic abuse and murder of young people by fascists. Critique of fascism or pure exploitation? Opinions remain divided. It was banned in dozens of countries, Pasolini was murdered shortly before its release, and it's still considered one of the most shocking works in film history.

When The Exorcist was released in 1973, it immediately became a cultural phenomenon and one of the most controversial horror films ever. Its shocking scenes of a possessed 12-year-old girl, obscene language and terrifying transformations caused viewers to faint, vomit and walk out. It was banned or restricted in various places.

This Italian found-footage horror film looked so realistic that director Ruggero Deodato was charged in connection with the actors' supposed deaths. It follows a documentary crew killed by cannibals in the Amazon and contains brutal scenes including real animal killings. Deodato had to prove in court that his actors were alive. He was cleared, but the film remains banned in several countries.

This satirical action comedy with Seth Rogen and James Franco, in which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is assassinated, triggered an international crisis. North Korea called it an act of war, and after Sony was hacked by a group linked to North Korea, the theatrical release was pulled amid threats of attacks. It was eventually released online, showing how a comedy can put world politics on edge.

This exploitation film about a woman who takes revenge on her attackers was seen by critics as pure repugnance and claimed by others as a powerful piece of revenge cinema. Its prolonged assault scene led to bans and huge controversy; Roger Ebert famously called it one of the most depressing experiences of his life. It's still a subject of debate.

Mel Gibson's hyperrealistic, bloody depiction of the crucifixion caused worldwide uproar. Critics called it obsessively violent, and it was also accused of antisemitism for its portrayal of Jewish authorities. Despite the controversy, it became one of the most successful religious films ever.

Larry Clark's Kids was praised as a raw portrait of teenage recklessness but was so realistic that many saw it as dangerous. It shows teens using drugs, being violent and having unprotected sex, and critics called it a shocking wake-up call for parents. It received an NC-17 rating in the US and was released unrated, yet it's now considered a classic of independent film.

The first Human Centipede was already infamous, but the sequel went far, far over the line. The British censors initially refused to classify it at all, and critics called it repulsive and sick. Still, it became a cult success precisely because of its sheer extremity.