Controversy often serves as a catalyst for discussion, debate, and even dissent. From provocative themes to boundary-pushing visuals, certain films have sparked fervent discourse, challenging societal norms, moral codes, and artistic boundaries. Join us as we embark on a cinematic journey through film history, as we encounter a diverse array of works that have ignited controversy in various forms.
This curated list delves into what we at SAW have determined to be the 100 of the most controversial movies ever made. These films are not merely provocative for the sake of shock value; rather, they offer profound insights into the human condition, societal taboos, and the power of art to challenge, provoke, and inspire. Some have been met with critical acclaim despite their contentious nature, while others have faced censorship, bans, and public outrage.
From groundbreaking classics that pushed the boundaries of cinematic expression to modern masterpieces that continue to polarize audiences, each entry in this list represents a unique chapter in the ongoing evolution of cinema. As we navigate through tales of love, violence, politics, religion, sexuality, and everything in between, we invite you to engage with these films, not only as entertainment but as thought-provoking discussions of art.
20. A Serbian Film (2010)
Srđan Spasojević can claim this film is a powerful commentary on the exploitation of actors and the moral decay of society all he wants but the fact remains, he made A Serbian Film for one reason and one reason only, to put the most fucked up shit anyone has ever seen into one movie. And that’s perfectly fine. A movie doesn’t need a message to justify its existence. It can simply be a cinematic dare and that can be enough. A Serbian Film follows Milos (Srđan Todorović), a retired pornographic actor struggling financially, who is lured back into the industry with the promise of a lucrative job. However, Milos soon discovers that he has been unwittingly drawn into a depraved and sadistic world of violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. This movie has it all. Literally, no other movie in existence dares to go as far as this movie does. It crosses a line no had ever crossed before because no one had even considered it a line. I’m not going to say what it is but if you somehow don’t know the infamous scene in question, just imagine the absolute worst thing you can imagine and it’s worse than that. A Serbian Film pulls no punches and offers no quarter. This is the final boss after you’ve consumed every other extreme movie and you’re looking for a challenge. It won’t disappoint.
-Sailor Monsoon
19. Triumph of the Will (1935)
Commissioned by the Nazi regime, Triumph of the Will documents the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg, Germany, and serves as a powerful piece of propaganda promoting Adolf Hitler and the ideals of National Socialism. Leni Riefenstahl presents the Nazi Party Congress as a meticulously choreographed spectacle, with thousands of uniformed soldiers and party members marching in perfect unison. Hitler is depicted as a charismatic and messianic leader, delivering impassioned speeches to adoring crowds. She does an exceptional job at portraying the Nazi Party as a unifying force, bringing together the German people under the banner of national pride and solidarity.
It glorifies militarism and promotes the idea of a strong, authoritarian government as the solution to Germany’s problems. Despite—or perhaps because of—its propagandistic intent, Triumph of the Will is considered a masterpiece of documentary filmmaking. Its influence on the art of cinema is undeniable, shaping the language of propaganda filmmaking for decades to come. However, its legacy is tainted by its association with the Nazi regime and its role in promoting fascist ideology. In the years following World War II, Triumph of the Will became a subject of controversy and debate. While some critics argue that it should be studied as a historical document, others believe that it should be condemned as a piece of dangerous propaganda. Regardless of one’s opinion, Triumph of the Will remains a potent reminder of the power of cinema to manipulate hearts and minds, for better or for worse.
-Sailor Monsoon
18 Cruising (1980)
William Friedkin’s Cruising delves into the gritty underworld of New York City’s gay leather scene, exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and violence. Starring Al Pacino as an undercover police officer tasked with infiltrating the gay S&M subculture to catch a serial killer targeting its members, the film unfolds as a dark and unsettling journey into the shadows of human desire. Friedkin’s unflinching direction and the film’s atmospheric cinematography create an oppressive sense of paranoia and menace, immersing viewers in a world where desire and danger collide. Cruising confronts audiences with its raw and explicit portrayal of gay sexuality, challenging societal norms and sparking controversy over its depiction of LGBTQ+ culture.
The film’s graphic scenes of violence and its portrayal of the gay community as a site of danger and deviance ignited outrage and condemnation from LGBTQ+ activists and critics, who accused it of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and stigmatizing queer individuals. Friedkin’s decision to shoot on location in New York City’s actual gay bars and clubs, using real members of the gay leather scene as extras, further blurred the lines between fiction and reality, intensifying the controversy surrounding the film. Despite its divisive reception, Cruising remains a fascinating artifact of its time, offering a provocative glimpse into a subculture rarely explored onscreen. It continues to spark debate and discussion about representation, censorship, and the complex relationship between art and social responsibility.
-Vincent Kane
17. Faces of Death (1978)
Even though most of the footage is staged or manipulated, Faces of Death remains one of the most important and influential pseudo-documentaries of all time. Before teenagers would dare each other to find the most fucked up shit on the darkest corners of the Internet, Faces of Death was there. Before the world was obsessed with true crime podcasts and TV shows, Faces of Death offered an unflinching look at death up close. Before The Blair Witch Project scared bajillions into thinking it was real, Faces of Death and its sequels already used that gimmick. Faces of Death forced horror directors to up there game because now they were competing with what everyone thought was actual death. The slashers of the ’80s might not have been as brutal if not for this and found footage most definitely wouldn’t have existed. If you’ve never seen it, the film is structured as a series of vignettes, each depicting different forms of death and violence, including accidents, executions, and animal attacks. Interspersed with these scenes are interviews with experts and pseudo-scientific explanations of the phenomena depicted. Looking back at it now, it’s almost charming how fake the footage is but at the time, no one questioned the images. For all that watched it, this was a snuff film filled with actual death. No film today holds that much power.
-Sailor Monsoon
16. Fando y Lis (1968)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Fando y Lis follows the titular characters, Fando and his paraplegic lover Lis, as they embark on a quest to find the mythical city of Tar. Along the way, they encounter a series of bizarre and grotesque characters, including a man who rides a bed and a group of sadomasochistic soldiers. Jodorowsky’s film is a surreal and hallucinatory experience, filled with striking imagery and dreamlike sequences. The director employs a variety of avant-garde techniques, including disjointed editing, experimental sound design, and surrealistic set design, to create a sense of disorientation and unease. Although the film is a meditation on love, desire, and the search for meaning in a world devoid of hope, the first audiences who saw it didn’t get it and actually reacted quite violently to it. It was banned in several countries and sparked riots at its premiere in Mexico City. In my El Topo write up, I mentioned that Jodorowsky had to escape out the back of the theater because there was an angry mob waiting outside to pelt him with rocks and that wasn’t an exaggeration. This movie pissed off people so badly, they were going to straight up murder the director. It doesn’t get much more controversial than that.
-Sailor Monsoon
15. Dogma (1999)
Kevin Smith’s Dogma is a satirical and irreverent exploration of faith, religion, and spirituality that courted controversy and sparked debate with its bold and provocative themes. The film follows two fallen angels, Loki and Bartleby, played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who seek to exploit a loophole in Catholic doctrine to return to heaven, prompting a cosmic crisis that threatens the fabric of existence. Smith’s trademark sharp wit and biting humor infuse the film with a sense of irreverence and absurdity, challenging traditional religious beliefs and conventions. Dogma serves as a thought-provoking examination of faith and belief, questioning the dogmas and doctrines that underpin organized religion while also exploring the complexities of morality and redemption.
The film’s irreverent treatment of religious themes and its satirical portrayal of Catholicism drew condemnation from some religious groups, who accused it of blasphemy and sacrilege. Smith’s depiction of religious figures, including a disgraced Catholic cardinal played by George Carlin and God portrayed by Alanis Morissette, further fueled the controversy, with critics arguing that the film crossed the line between satire and offense. Despite the backlash, Dogma garnered a cult following and earned praise for its sharp writing, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes. The film’s exploration of faith and spirituality, coupled with its willingness to tackle taboo subjects with humor and intelligence, continues to resonate with audiences, inspiring discussions about the nature of belief and the role of religion in contemporary society.
-Vincent Kane
14. Titticut Follies (1967)
Offering a stark and unflinching look inside Bridgewater State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Massachusetts, Titticut Follies exposes the deplorable conditions and treatment of the inmates, revealing shocking instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Wiseman’s approach in Titticut Follies is observational and devoid of narration or interviews. Instead, he allows the camera to capture the daily routines, interactions, and institutional practices within the facility. Through long, unbroken shots, the film immerses the audience in the harsh realities faced by the inmates, many of whom suffer from severe mental illness. If pictures are worth a thousand words, this doc and the images contained within were worth a million controversies.
It sparked significant controversy upon its release, leading to legal battles and censorship attempts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health attempted to prevent the film from being shown, citing concerns about patient confidentiality and the potential harm it could cause to the inmates. However, the film ultimately prevailed, and its release prompted public outcry and calls for reform within the mental health system. Titticut Follies exposed the brutal realities of institutionalized care and sparked important conversations about mental health treatment and human rights. Wiseman’s unflinching gaze forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths, making it a film that continues to resonate and provoke thought decades after its release.
-Sailor Monsoon
13. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s film is a dystopian masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its bold visual style, unsettling narrative, and provocative themes. However, it was very polarizing upon its release due to its graphic depictions of violence and its exploration of taboo subjects such as rape, murder, and psychological manipulation. It not only got the dreaded “X” rating from the MPAA but it also received the “C” rating from the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures which stands for “condemned”. It forbids Roman Catholics from seeing the film. Many pointed to the multiple scenes of rape most notably the infamous rape scene where the attackers sang the usually jovial song “Singing in the Rain” as they assaulted a woman in front of her husband.
This is also one of the earliest examples of a film being cited as the cause of real-life violence where a 16-year-old boy was accused of beating an elderly vagrant to death and rape happened with the attackers singing the same song from the film. Protests would take place outside of Kubrick’s home and the British release of the film was pulled due to the copycat violence happening because of the film. It would be banned in multiple countries but would go on to be a granddaddy of cult classics that is regularly listed among the greatest films of all time and would even work its way into pop culture.
-Vincent Kane
12. The Evil Dead (1981)
Banned in multiple countries due to its graphic violence and sexual content, I can only imagine how shocking it would have been to watch this in 1981 when it was released. Cinema has continued to evolve in terms of violence and horror, but back then this material was groundbreaking. Dismemberment, spraying blood, and eye gouging, nothing is shied away from. In fact, many of these scenes even invite close-up shots.
Then of course there is the most infamous scene of all. As one of the partygoers leaves their cabin to take a walk in the woods, the trees become possessed by a demon and sexually assault her. Director Sam Raimi himself said he regretted including this, admitting that he went too far. Regardless, this scene along with all the other blood and gore, helped The Evil Dead make its mark in horror movie history. It’s also why it’s one of the most beloved cult classics in the genre to this day.
-Lee McCutcheon
11. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ sparked intense controversy and protests due to its portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, the film presents a fictionalized account of Jesus’ life, depicting him as a conflicted human figure grappling with doubt, temptation, and his divine mission. The film explores controversial themes such as Jesus’ relationships with Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot, as well as his struggle with the idea of crucifixion.
Outrage erupted even before its release, with religious groups condemning the film as sacrilegious. Protesters picketed theaters, and several countries banned or censored the film, fearing it would offend religious sensibilities as blasphemy. The film’s portrayal of Jesus as a flawed and mortal figure provoked fury among some Christians, who believed it undermined the sanctity of the biblical narrative. However, The Last Temptation of Christ received critical acclaim for its thought-provoking exploration of faith and spirituality, with many praising Scorsese’s direction and Willem Dafoe’s performance as Jesus.
-Vincent Kane
30-21 | 10-1
How many of these controversial movies have you seen? Did you find any of them controversial?