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.
30. The Outlaw (1943)
Anyone who’s seen Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator knows exactly why The Outlaw is infamous. Tits. Howard Hughes made this movie for once reason: Jane Russell and her tits. Not all of her tits mind you, this isn’t a skin flick. Just a tad bit of cleavage. Cleavage that wouldn’t get a second glance today was a lighting rod of controversy in 1943. Its battles with censorship are the only reason why people even remember it now though. Because those tits were wasted on a mediocre western. Set in the American West, The Outlaw tells the story of Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) and his encounters with the law, as well as his relationship with Rio McDonald (Jane Russell), a fiery and independent young woman. The plot revolves around Billy’s attempts to evade capture by Sheriff Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell) while navigating the complexities of his romantic entanglement with Rio. The film’s narrative is largely fictionalized, drawing inspiration from historical events but taking significant liberties for dramatic effect. This is the greatest example of “just because its important, doesn’t mean it’s great” you’ll ever find. Hughes and his battle against censorship literally changed cinema forever. But the movie he was fighting to protect isn’t that good. Which in its own way makes this doubly important because it shows that trash has the right to exist.
-Sailor Monsoon
29. Natural Born Killers (1994)
Natural Born Killers follows mass murderers Mickey and Mallory Knox, as they go on a killing spree across America. It’s a critique of certain American attitudes, blended with some ultra-violent action. An interesting aspect of the film is the fact that it tries to add empathy to the two main characters. It does a great job of this with Mallory in particular, portraying her sexual abuse as a child in a disturbing sitcom manner.
One of the main themes running through Natural Born Killers is the fact that the deranged couple are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media. This is one of the reasons it received polarising reviews when it was released. Another reason was because as well as showing the wickedness of Mickey and Mallory’s world, the film also seemed enamoured with the exhilarating freedom that the couple had. It also received criticism for not holding the couple accountable for their heinous actions. Personally, taken as an extreme satire, I think it’s a work of art.
– Lee McCutcheon
28. Man Bites Dog (1992)
For some horror directors, simply scaring an audience isn’t enough. Some want to shock the viewer, by any means necessary. Whether that’s depicting extreme subject matter such as infanticide or rape, including unsimulated sex scene, real-life animal deaths or just pushing violence as far as it can go. Most attempts go so far past socially acceptable, that they lose their impact. It stops meaning anything when all you’re seeing is nonstop scenes of corn syrup, red dye, and women crying. Most of it is unwatchable misery porn from edge lords but there are some films that succeed in truly shocking audiences. Films like Maniac and Henry: Portrait of a Serial killer have never not been effective at upsetting people nor has films like Cannibal Holocaust or Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom lost their ability to offend and disgust. Between those two behemoths of controversy, lies Man Bites Dog.
The activities of rampaging, indiscriminate serial killer Ben (Benoit Poelvoorde, in an all-time great performance) are recorded by a willingly complicit documentary team. Eventually, the line between what is right and wrong and what is fiction and non-fiction starts to blur once the camera crew itself starts to actively participate in the crimes. A pitch-black satirical comedy, Man Bites Dog is one of those films that’s not afraid to go all the way. The film opts out of the extreme blood and guts violence (don’t worry, there’s still a ton of violence in the film) in favor of a more chilling, and subtle approach to shock cinema. Instead of carving people up, Ben yells at an old lady long enough to give her a heart attack. Or regales the camera crew in stories of proper dead baby disposal. He crosses every line and obliterates every taboo. He does whatever he wants but since he’s so charismatic, we’re complicit by not looking away. Our enjoyment makes us accomplices, which is the point. A shocking movie that out shocks the other shock movies that also have a point? Now that’s truly shocking.
-Sailor Monsoon
27. L’Age d’Or (1930)
Co-created by the surrealist icons Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí, L’Age d’Or (The Golden Age) remains a cornerstone of surrealism, challenging societal norms and conventions through its provocative imagery, daring narrative, and biting satire. Set in a dreamlike landscape, L’Age d’Or follows a series of disjointed and surreal episodes that critique various aspects of bourgeois society and religious institutions. The film opens with a scathing portrayal of a bourgeois gathering, where the attendees’ superficiality and hypocrisy are laid bare. As the narrative progresses, it shifts focus to the passionate yet forbidden love affair between a man and a woman, whose desires are continually thwarted by societal conventions and moralistic forces. Throughout the film, Buñuel and Dalí employ surrealistic imagery and symbolism to underscore the irrationality and absurdity of human behavior. From bizarre rituals to grotesque displays of violence, L’Age d’Or challenges viewers to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the societal structures that perpetuate them.
-Sailor Monsoon
26. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)
One of the few controversial films that was critically acclaimed upon it’s released but sat on the shelf for years due to receiving the dreaded “X” rating before helping create the new rating category of “NC-17”, Henry: Portrait of A Serial Killer go on to be considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Due to it’s realistic violence and nihilistic outlook, Henry would leave many viewers sick and unsettled by the end of the film. More controversy would surface because of the use of real names from the life crimes committed by Henry Lee Lucas. A man who confessed to over 600 murders but was sentenced to death after being convicted of 11 murders. Michael Rooker would have a career defining performance as the titular character that was highly praised.
The film’s unapologetic portrayal of murder and its lack of moralizing or redemption arc for its protagonist challenged conventional cinematic norms. Additionally, its documentary-style approach, devoid of traditional narrative structure, added to its shock value. The controversy surrounding the film led to censorship and bans in several countries, with some jurisdictions deeming it too disturbing for public consumption. Despite its divisive reception, “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” remains a significant work in the horror genre, pushing boundaries and leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
-Vincent Kane
25. In the Realm of the Senses (1976)
Based on a true story, In the Realm of The Sense explores the intense and obsessive love affair between a former prostitute named Sada Abe and her employer, Kichizo Ishida, in 1930s Japan. The film is renowned for its explicit sexual content, as well as its exploration of themes such as desire, obsession, and the boundaries between pleasure and pain. Their affair begins as a purely physical connection but quickly evolves into a consuming obsession that knows no bounds. As their desire intensifies, they become increasingly isolated from the outside world, retreating into a private realm of eroticism and taboo-breaking sexual acts. At its core, the film is a study on how unchecked passion can consume and ultimately destroy individuals. It remains a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of love, desire, and the human condition, challenging viewers to confront their own attitudes towards sex and relationships, while offering grade A wank material for people with similar kinks and fetishes. This is Fifty Shades of Grey for people who are actually into BDSM, not middle aged soccer moms who’s idea of kinky begins and ends with handcuffs.
-Sailor Monsoon
24. Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
If it wasn’t for the helicopter accident I’m not even sure we’d still be talking about Twilight Zone: The Movie. It’s a relatively tepid anthology film with a few moments of interest (primarily in Joe Dante and George Miller’s sections) that does little to evoke the feel of the classic TV show by Rod Serling. Nobody really talks about the movie, though. Mostly they talk about the deaths.
While shooting the first full segment, “Time Out,” a Huey helicopter was too low over a pyrotechnic effect that destroyed the tail rotor. Out of control, the helicopter crashed directly on top of actor adult actor Vic Morrow and child actors Renee Shin-Yi Chen (6) and Myca Dinh Le (7), decapitating Morrow and Le and crushing Chen. They died almost instantly.
In the ensuing lawsuits, it became clear that the children should not have been working at night, nor in close proximity to either the explosives or the helicopter. The helicopter was also flying too low, putting it in direct danger from the explosives. Director John Landis and other personnel involved with the shoot ended up in court over the accident, with several years of civil and criminal cases brought. No one was ever found criminally responsible. Producer Steven Spielberg, however, severed his friendship with Landis in the aftermath, saying the incident had left those involved “sick to the center of our souls.” I kinda feel the same way.
-Bob Cram Jr.
23. Fritz the Cat (1972)
Since both men love to court controversy, the union of Ralph Bakshi and Robert Crumb almost feels inevitable. One is a God in the underground comics scene and the other is a cynical, misanthropic animator who’s a legend in his own right. Together they created an X rated cartoon that’s the grandaddy of everything from Heavy Metal to South Park. Set in New York City during the 1960s, Fritz the Cat follows the adventures of Fritz, an anthropomorphic cat who rebels against societal norms and authority figures. Fritz engages in various escapades, including drug-fueled parties, political protests, and sexual encounters, as he navigates through the counterculture movement of the era. Through his interactions with other characters, including a diverse cast of humans and anthropomorphic animals, Fritz grapples with issues of identity, freedom, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
He serves as a symbol of rebellion against mainstream society, embodying the spirit of the counterculture movement. His rejection of authority and embrace of hedonistic pleasures reflect the ethos of the era. In layman’s terms, Fritz is a horny cat that fucks everything he sees and hates the cops. But if that was all it offered, it would’ve been forgotten about already. It also serves as a satirical critique of politics and social issues of the time, including racial tensions, the Vietnam War, and the failure of the hippie movement to effect substantial change. Through its portrayal of radical groups and political movements, the film examines the complexities of ideological struggle and the disillusionment that often accompanies activism. 90% of the movie might be about a pussy hound of a pussy but that last 10% is what gives it depth.
-Sailor Monsoon
22. 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. 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.” And it is, I suppose. The Wild Bunch is a compelling movie that follows a group of aging outlaws in a dying Old West as they rally for one last big score. After being double crossed by a former member of the gang, they flee to Mexico and take a job stealing U.S. Army weapons for the Mexican Federal Army to use in the fight against Pancho Villa.
Of course, everything goes sideways, and the bullets, blood and bodies pile up by the end of the movie. It’s not just a graphically violent movie for the time it was made; even by today’s standards, I think it is a surprising amount of brutality. In 1969, though, such depictions weren’t the norm for movies. While it received critical acclaim, including Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score, there were certainly condemnations of the intensity the violence, which is aimed not just at outlaws and soldiers but also many innocent bystanders as well, including women and children.
-R.J. Mathews
21. Deep Throat (1972)
This list has a handful of films you could technically consider pornography since they were given an X rating but Deep Throat is the only official porno to make the cut. It is a watershed moment in the history of cinema, a film that transcended its status as an adult movie to become a cultural phenomenon. Over fifty years later, it remains the most famous and the most notorious fuck flick of all time. It revolutionized not only the adult film industry but also challenged societal norms and sparked debates about censorship, sexual liberation, and feminism. You have almost certainly heard the title but if you’re unaware of the actual plot, get ready to hear the greatest storyline in a porno ever.
The film follows a woman named Linda (Linda Lovelace), who discovers that her clitoris is located in her throat, leading to the titular sexual technique. This discovery sets her on a journey of sexual exploration and liberation, as she embraces her newfound ability to achieve orgasm through oral sex. Alongside her partner, played by Harry Reems, Linda embarks on a series of sexual encounters, all while navigating comedic situations and misunderstandings. Basically a producer found out Lovelace has no gag reflex and created a ridiculous plot to justify her need to suck as much dick as possible. This is the plot to the most profitable film of all time. A woman has a clitoris in her throat and must find the biggest dicks to suck in order to get off. God bless the ’70s.
-Sailor Monsoon
40-31 | 20-11
How many of these controversial movies have you seen? Did you find any of them controversial?