List of banned films

1996–2001

All

During the reign of the Islamic Emirate government in Afghanistan, watching films or television was prohibited.

2008

The Kite Runner

Banned due to inciting violence.

1980–1990

Pas vdekjes (After Death)

Banned for ten years under Communist regime of Enver Hoxha.

1959

Ben-Hur

Banned from all Arab League states because actress Haya Harareet was Israeli.

2006

Borat

Banned in every Arab League country except Lebanon.

2023

Barbie

On 13 August 2023, just three weeks after its release on 19 July, the screenings of Barbie were halted in film theaters in Algeria. According to Reuters, the official source was quoted as saying that the film "promotes homosexuality and other Western deviances" and that it "does not comply with Algeria's religious and cultural beliefs."

1941

Los afincaos (The Sons of the Earth)

This film, based on the stageplay of the same name, had to insert a disclaimer at the start that the action of the film does not take place in Argentina, due to the pressure from the censors at the time.

1941

I'll Never Heil Again

Banned during the conservative period of authoritarian governments known as "Infamous Decade" (1930–1943), for lampooning Nazi Germany; Argentina had declared itself neutral during World War Two.

1947

La mujer más honesta del mundo (The Most Honest Woman of the World)

This comedy film had its screening forbidden in Buenos Aires by the Municipal Censorship Commission due to the conservative public criticising it as "condoning immorality". As a result, the film could be only screened in an ephemeral and circumstantial way in some points of the interior of the country.

1954

La Tigra

This film, based on the work of the same name written by Florencio Sánchez about the encounter of a woman known as "the Tigress" and a student of fine arts, was banned by the administrative authority after rating it as "not suitable for ages under 18", alleging "low quality" and covert moralism, excluded the film from the regime of compulsory screening with which the domestic film industry was protected. It was shown edited in Canal 9 Sábados circulares show on 17 March 1962 and debuted commercially in an edited form on 10 September 1964. After 30 years when the film was thought to be lost, a copy from a Santa Fe film archive was found, being screened on Cine Club Núcleo in 1994.

1963

The Silence

Banned because of "obscenity".

1968

Ufa con el sexo

Banned under Juan Carlos Ongania's regime during the self-styled "Argentine Revolution" dictatorship (1966–1973), for "violating morality standards". The film was later screened in 2007.

1969–1971

Los Neuróticos

This film about a psychoanalyst whose only goal is to impress the women who attend his group therapies, which was originally shot in 1969, was banned by the classification board, which was in charge of censoring films. The film underwent several cuts to submit it again in order to receive classification, but in September, the censors maintained their decision. After several cuts and a new ratification in October, the film was finally authorized to be released in November 1971.

1971

México, la revolución congelada

This documentary was banned by the Argentinian embassador of Mexico, at behest of the President of Mexico Luis Echeverria, who warned that the film was a fierce criticism of a betrayed ideal rather than a praise of the "revolution made institution".

1972

Valle fértil

This documentary film did not see a commercial debut and was banned in the Valle Fértil Department by the de facto comptroller Luis Martínez, who supposed that it was due to the comment on Revista Clarín magazine titled "Valle Fértil: un pueblo que se extingue" (Valle Fertil: A people in extinction"). The film would later be screened in 2014.

1972

Last Tango in Paris

Banned during the self-styled "Argentine Revolution" dictatorship (1966–1973), for being "pornographic".

1973

Los traidores (The Traitors)

This film, produced by Bill Susmann and based on Víctor Proncet's story La víctima, which was based on the self-kidnapping of a Peronist labor leader, was banned during the self-styled "Argentine Revolution" dictatorship (1966–1973) for its controversial themes (which was about a Peronist labor leader who becomes a corrupt functionary after years of militancy until the presidency of Campora).

1973

Las Venganzas de Beto Sanchez (Beto Sanchez's Vendettas)

Banned during the self-styled "Argentine Revolution" dictatorship (1966–1973), due to its controversial storyline and themes. Its release was put "on hold" by the dictatorship until the democratically elected constitutional government of Héctor José Cámpora came to power, which allowed its distribution.

1974

Secuestro y muerte de Mr. Dupont (Kidnapping and Death of Mr. Dupont)

This drama film was not authorized to be screened by the military government and never premiered commercially.

1974

La Patagonia rebelde (Rebel Patagonia)

Banned under Isabel Perón's government (1974–1976) and Jorge Rafael Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983). The historical film is about the suppression of a peasants' revolt, known as "Tragic Patagonia".

1976

Piedra libre

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983) due to its "innmoral content", "attacks on family, religion, morals, the distinct social classes, tradition and the basic values of the Argentinian system of life, by the perverted and negative spirit which rings throughout the film, through its absurde themes and various outrageous situations"

1976

Last Days of Mussolini (1974)

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983).

1976

The Great Dictator (1940)

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983), for mocking dictatorships.

1978

Las largas vacaciones del '36 (Long Vacations of 36)

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983), for its sarcastic view of Francoist Spain.

1978

Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983), for being "pornographic".

1978

Pretty Baby

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983), due to child pornography concerns.

1979

Coming Home (1978)

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983), for its anti-war message.

1979

The House on Garibaldi Street

Banned under Videla's regime during Argentina's last-civil military dictatorship (1976–1983), because it depicts the hunt for Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann.

1985

Je vous salue, Marie (Hail Mary)

Banned due to "blasphemous" and sexual content.

1988

The Last Temptation of Christ

Banned for being considered as "blasphemy".

1989

Kindergarten

Banned for its controversial themes, school shooting, scenes of nudity and unsimulated oral sex. A court order required all copies of the film to be seized and a ban on its exhibition. The film was finally shown in a restored copy in 2010, as part of the Mar del Plata International Film Festival.

2014

Borrando a papá (Erasing Dad)

This documentary about six fathers estranged from their children after conflictive divorces and hardships to keep their bonds with their children was scheduled to be premiered in 2014, but due to a court measure, it could not be commercially premiered and thus, was uploaded on YouTube.

1972

Pink Flamingos

Banned on its initial release until the 1980s due to offensive content.

1975–1992

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom

Banned on its initial release, but lifted after seventeen years.

1976–2000

In the Realm of the Senses

Banned because of obscenity, though a censored version was made available in 1977. Only in 2000 did it finally become available in its complete cut.

2003

Ken Park

Banned and refused classification in 2003 for graphic depictions of teenage sex, incest, and auto-erotic asphyxiation.

2011

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)

Temporarily banned for cruel, disturbing, and sexually explicit content. A censored DVD version was later released on 23 February 2012.

2011

Hostage (Azerbaijani)

Banned because the plot presents Armenians in a positive light.[unreliable source?]

2024

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training

Banned by the Bahamas Plays and Film Control Board.

1959

Ben-Hur

Banned from all Arab League states because actress Haya Harareet was Israeli.

2006

Borat

Banned in every Arab League country except Lebanon.

2007

The Kingdom

Banned because of an inaccurate depiction of a 1996 bombing in Saudi Arabia.

2014

Noah

Banned due to depiction of prophets.

2021

Eternals

Banned due to the film's character of Phastos and his husband.

2022

Lightyear

Banned due to a brief lesbian kiss scene.

2022

Thor: Love and Thunder

Banned due to LGBT representation.

2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Banned due to it containing frames which feature a transgender flag on which the phrase "Protect Trans Kids" is displayed.

1991

Remembrance of '71

This documentary by Tanvir Mokammel, on the Bangladesh Liberation war was banned by the Bangladesh Film Censor Board.

1994

Nodir Naam Modhumoti

This film was banned for being "anti-nationalistic". The director Tanvir Mokammel appealed the ban to the Bangladesh Supreme Court, and then, to the Bangladesh High Court. The film eventually was released in 1996, after the Awami League returned to power.

1995

Muktir Gaan

This documentary by Tareque Masud and Catherine Masud was objected by the Censor Board out of concern that the songs featured in it were pro-Awami League. Overturned in 1996.

2005

Teardrops of Karnaphuli

This documentary by Tanvir Mokammel about the effects of Kaptai Dam on the indigenous community in Chittagong Hill Tracts was banned in Bangladesh.

2009

Nomuna

This satirical film by Enamul Karim Nirjhar had its release refused by the Censor Board for its satire of political figures of Bangladesh.

2011

Hridoy Bhanga Dheu

This film was banned because the main villain in the movie wore a Mujib Coat, a coat worn by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first President of Bangladesh.

2015

Mor Thengari

This Chakma language film (which was the first of its kind) was refused certification by the Censor Board as the Bangladesh Army lodged a complaint that the film showed the activities of the army in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is a sensitive issue, as well for their negative portrayal (along with the police forces') during the Chittagong Hill Tracts conflict. The Ministry of Information in a letter to the Censor board objecting to some scenes of the film, requesting their deletion. The director, Aung Rakhine, withdrew the film rather than cut it, accusing the Censor Board of violating human rights.

2016

Rana Plaza

This film about a garment factory worker's 17-day fight to survive under the debris of Rana Plaza, a building that collapsed on 24 April 2013, was banned by the Bangladesh Film Censor Board due to a petition from the Bangladesh National Garment Workers League chief Sirajul Islam, as the movie featured scenes considered "frightening" as well the names of security forces, which is considered a breach of the law.

2023

Faraaz

Faraaz, directed by Hansal Mehta, was released on 3 February 2023, in India and received mixed reviews from critics. This film is based on the 2016 Dhaka attack wherein 29 people were killed, including 20 hostages (17 foreigners and 3 locals), two police officers, five gunmen, and two bakery staff. Ruba Ahmed, the mother of Abinta Kabir, who was killed by militants in the Holey Artisan Attack on 1 July 2016, filed the writ on 12 February 2023. After hearing that writ petition, the High Court bench of Md. Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir delivered this order to ban this misleading film.

1940–1945

La Kermesse Heroïque (Carnival in Flanders) (1935)

Banned in Nazi-occupied Belgium by Joseph Goebbels because of its pacifist themes. The director, Jacques Feyder, was later hunted down for arrest but managed to hide in Switzerland.

1976–1994

In the Realm of the Senses

Banned on its initial release because of its graphic sex scenes, being the last film subject to censorship in the country. It was the only European country at that time where the film was banned. Since 1994 the ban is no longer in effect.

1940–1946

The Great Dictator

Banned by the Getúlio Vargas dictatorship for being "communist" and "demoralizing the Armed Forces".

1955

Rio, 100 Degrees F.

Banned for being "communist propaganda" and for presenting negative facts of Brazil. Trying to justify the ban, the Brazilian government alleged that "In Rio de Janeiro, the temperature did not reach over 39.6 °C".

1964–1984

Twenty Years Later

Banned for being a "manifesto of communism". During production, in 1964, the plot, the photographer and other material were seized and crew members were arrested. The film tells the story of João Pedro Teixeira, a union leader from Paraíba murdered in 1962. Ban overturned in 1984.

1969–2017

El Justicero

Film banned in 1969 for criticizing the ruling military dictatorship. The original 35mm film was seized by the authorities and later destroyed. For these reasons, the film was lost until 2017, when a 16mm copy was restored and re-released in DVD in Brazil.

1971–1978

A Clockwork Orange

Banned during the military dictatorship for containing obscenity and "promiscuous content". A censored version of black polka dots covering the breasts and genitals of the actors in the nude scenes became available in the country in 1978.

1972–1979

Last Tango in Paris

Banned during the military dictatorship for containing obscene scenes that were considered by the government as an "attempt against morality and good habits". Ban lifted in 1979.

1974–1980

Emmanuelle

Banned during the military dictatorship for obscenity and graphic sexual scenes. Ban lifted in 1980.

1974–1980

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Banned during the military dictatorship for containing violent scenes that were considered by the government as an "attempt against morality and good habits". Ban lifted in the early 1980s.

1975–1980

Iracema: Uma Transa Amazônica

Banned during the military dictatorship for explicit sexual content.

1976–1980

In the Realm of the Senses

Banned during the military dictatorship for pornography and graphic sexual scenes. Ban lifted in 1980.

1979

Di Cavalcanti

Banned due to a court decision obtained by the adopted daughter of the painter Di Cavalcanti, Elizabeth Di Cavalcanti, alleging that her father's image was violated due to the film containing scenes from the painter's funeral and burial. However, in 2004, members of the family of the filmmaker Glauber Rocha, made the work available in full version on a server outside Brazil, to circumvent the film's ban.

1982–1983

Pra Frente, Brasil

Banned at the time of its release for containing political criticism of the military dictatorship. Ban lifted a year later.

1982–2018

Love Strange Love

Banned due to a lawsuit filed by Xuxa, one of the actresses in the film's cast. Ban lifted in 2018. Brazilian television showed the film on 12 February 2021, on Canal Brasil.

1985–1988

Je vous salue, Marie

Banned during the government of president José Sarney for containing blasphemy against the Christian faith. Ban lifted after the promulgation of the new Brazilian Constitution in 1988.

1988

The Last Temptation of Christ

Theatrical exhibition in eight theaters in the city of São Paulo banned during the administration of the then mayor of São Paulo, Jânio Quadros.

1993

Beyond Citizen Kane

Banned in Brazil due to a lawsuit filed by Roberto Marinho.

2011–2012

A Serbian Film

Banned due to it being an "excuse for pedophilia" and extreme violence. The film was shown at the VII Fantastic Film Festival in Porto Alegre and was selected for the Fantastic Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro. However, it was removed from the event's schedule by order of Caixa, the festival's sponsor. A new screening of the film was scheduled by the organizers of the event outside the festival, but the copy of the film was seized by a court order, due to a lawsuit filed by the regional office of the Democrats party. Ban lifted in July 2012.

2013

Heavenly Puss and The Two Mouseketeers

Two Tom and Jerry short films, released respectively in 1949 and 1952, were confiscated "for editorial issues and appropriateness of the content to the target audience—children of 7 to 11 years".

1967–1990

Privarzaniyat balon (The Tied Up Balloon)

Banned during the Communist era for criticizing the communist leaders during World War II. After Bulgaria became a democratic nation in 1990, the ban was lifted.

2014

Who Killed Chea Vichea?

Banned for investigating the mysterious 2004 assassination of Chea Vichea, one of Cambodia's most influential union leaders who spent years fighting for increased wages and improved working conditions for the nation's 300,000 garment workers.

2015

Fifty Shades of Grey

Banned for "insane romance, numerous sex sequence, the use of violence during sex" and for being "entirely related to sexual matters that are too extreme for Khmer society".

2015

No Escape

Banned for its "negative portrayal of local culture".

2017

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Banned for portraying Cambodia as a base for the movie's antagonists.

2021

Methagu

Banned at the request of the Sri Lankan government for reflecting the life of Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of LTTE.

2023

No More Bets

Banned for "seriously damages Cambodia's image and reputation."

2025-present

All Thai films

All films that were made in Thailand were banned by the Cambodian government due to a border dispute that strained relations between each nation. The dispute began in May 2025, when clashes at the border between these nations killed a Cambodian soldier.

2015

Child 44 (2015)

Banned since 15 April 2015, when the Russian film distributor Central Partnership announced that the film would be withdrawn from cinemas in Russia, although some media stated that screening of the film was blocked by the Russian Ministry of Culture. The decision was made following the press screening the day before. The Ministry of Culture and the Central Partnership issued a joint press release stating that the screening of the film before the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day was unacceptable. The Ministry of Culture claimed that it received several questions on the film's contents, primarily concerning "distortion of historical facts, peculiar treatment of events before, during and after the Great Patriotic War and images and characters of Soviet people of that era". Russian minister of culture Vladimir Medinsky welcomed the decision, but stressed that it was made solely by the Central Partnership. However, in his personal statement Medinsky complained that the film depicts Russians as "physically and morally base sub-humans", and compared the depiction of Soviet Union in the film with J. R. R. Tolkien's Mordor, and wished that such films should be screened neither before the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, nor any other time. However, he also stated that the film would be available in Russia on DVD and online. As a result of the decision the film was also withdrawn from cinemas in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, while release of the film has been postponed until October in Georgia. Ukrainian film director and producer Alexander Rodnyansky criticised the decision not to release Child 44 as bad for the country's film industry. "Before, films where Soviet and Russian heroes were presented not in the best way have been released in Russia, but nothing similar happened. Now everything to do with history should clearly fit into a kind of framework set by the culture ministry."

1959

Ben-Hur

Banned from all Arab League states because actress Haya Harareet was Israeli.

2006

Borat

Banned in every Arab League country except Lebanon.

1966

Red Zone Cuba

Banned due to its negative portrayal of Cubans.

1980

Cuba Crossing

Banned by the Cuban government.

1984

Red Dawn

Banned by the Cuban government for negatively portraying Cubans.

1992

Captain Ron

Banned by the Cuban government.

1992

A Few Good Men

Banned by the Cuban government.

1995

GoldenEye

Banned by the Cuban government for portraying Soviets.

1996

Azúcar Amarga

Banned by the Cuban government.

2008

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Banned due to its negative setting of Cuba.

2014

Camp X-Ray

Banned by the Cuban government.

2019

Cuban Love

Banned due to its negative portrayal of Cubans.

2020

Without Havana

Banned by the Cuban government.

1966

The Hand

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government from 1969 to 1989.

1966

Daisies

Banned under the Communist regime for "depicting the wanton". The film's director, Věra Chytilová, was forbidden from working again until 1975.

1966–1988

A Report on the Party and the Guests

Banned from 1966 to 1968 because of its political satire. After a short release during the Prague Spring, it was banned again for the next twenty years. In 1974, director Jan Němec emigrated.

1967

The Firemen's Ball

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government in 1968 for "mocking the working class".[better source needed] Director Miloš Forman relocated to the United States.

1968

Deserters and Pilgrims (also known as The Deserters and the Nomads)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government.

1969

Funeral Ceremonies (Smuteční slavnost)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government.

1969

The Seventh Day, The Eighth Night (Den sedmý, osmá noc)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government.

1969–1989

Squandered Sunday (Zabitá neděle)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government for twenty years, with its director, Drahomíra Vihanová, being banned from making new films until 1977.

1969–1989

The Cremator

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government from 1969 until 1989 because this black comedy depicts a crematorium director who enjoys burning people and sides with the Nazis during the Holocaust.

1969–1989

All My Compatriots (also known as All My Countrymen)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government. Its director, Vojtěch Jasný went into exile.

1969–1989

Birds, Orphans and Fools

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government for depicting three people orphaned by political violence and trying to mentally survive, despite not being free.

1969–1989

Larks on a String

Banned until the fall of the Communist government in 1989.

1970

Hlídač (Prison Guard)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government.

1970

Fruit of Paradise

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government for its shocking content. Its director, Věra Chytilová, was forbidden from making new films for eight years.

1970

Witchhammer

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government.

1970–1989

Ucho (The Ear)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government until 1989, because the story depicts a couple who think they are under government surveillance.

1971

Nahota (Naked)

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government.

1972

Case for a Rookie Hangman

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government for its satirical depiction of Czech society, which meant the end of the director Pavel Juráček's career.

1972

Leonardo's Diary

Banned by the Communist government for depicting life in Czechoslovakia in a critical light. Its director, Jan Švankmajer, was banned from working for five years.

1975

The Apple Game

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government. The director, Věra Chytilová, personally asked for more information at the censor board and heard that the Soviet embassy felt the subject matter was "too heavy-duty".

1977–1989

Castle of Otranto

Banned by the Czechoslovak Communist government after its director, Jan Švankmajer, refused to change anything about the film. Government censors objected to its mockumentary tone, which could undermine people's faith in the TV news. Švankmajer himself was banned from making films for eight years.

1982

Dimensions of Dialogue

Banned because the Communist government censors didn't like its criticism of consumerism. The ban was more than likely also a result of its director, Jan Švankmajer, having been banned twice before in the past.

1983–1989

Straka v hrsti (A Magpie in the Hand)

Banned by the Communist government because the film was based on a script by Antonín Přidal, an author who was banned by the government, and because it featured the subversive rock band Pražský výběr.

2015

L'Homme Qui Repare Les Femmes (The Man Who Mends Women)

Banned because "a clear desire to harm the Congolese army and tarnish its image," the government spokesman and Minister of Media and Communication accused the director of having mistranslated and therefore misrepresented certain remarks in Swahili and Mashi.

1930

The Skeleton Dance

Banned initially in 1930 because the censors deemed the film "too macabre" for children. Today the ban is no longer in effect.

1959

Ben-Hur

Banned from all Arab League states because actress Haya Harareet was Israeli.

2006

Borat

Banned in every Arab League country except Lebanon.

1959

Ben-Hur

Banned from all Arab League states because actress Haya Harareet was Israeli.

1960

Exodus

Banned due to actor Paul Newman's "material support for Zionism and Israel".

1968

Funny Girl

Banned because the Egyptian Muslim lead (Omar Sharif) is portrayed in a romantic storyline with Jewish actress Barbra Streisand. Streisand's political support for Israel at the height of military tensions between Egypt and Israel was also a factor.

1994

The Emigrant

This film, which is loosely based on the story of the Biblical character Joseph, raised several protests, since Islam forbids the visual depiction of religious figures. After achieving all necessary approvals from the censors, the film ran successfully in Egyptian cinema until a lawsuit initiated by a fundamentalist Islamist lawyer caused a temporary ban. After a year-long court battle, the director Youssef Chahine won the case, only to face a second ban resulting from a lawsuit initiated by a Christian lawyer who objected to the movie's deviations from the Biblical account.

1998

The Prince of Egypt

Banned for religious reasons.

2003

The Matrix Reloaded

Banned due to violent content and its religious themes.

2003–2007

Bruce Almighty

It was banned for imaging God as an ordinary man and is deemed blasphemous to Islam. The ban was lifted four years later.

2006

Borat

Banned in every Arab League country except Lebanon.

2006

The Da Vinci Code

Banned because of blasphemous content.

2014

Halawet Rooh (Rouh's Beauty)

Banned right after screening the film in cinemas, after criticism over scenes deemed sexually provocative. The movie was criticized for copying Giuseppe Tornatore's movie Malèna (2000) starring Italian actress Monica Bellucci.

2014

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Banned for historical inaccuracies and showing history from a Zionist viewpoint.

2022

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Banned because it includes America Chavez, a lesbian character.

2022

Lightyear

Banned because of a same-sex kiss.

2022

Thor: Love and Thunder

Banned due to LGBT representation.

2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse

Banned due to it containing frames which feature a transgender flag on which the phrase "Protect Trans Kids" is displayed.

2009

Adhura Sapna

Banned due to racial themes towards Fijians.

1930–1952

Battleship Potemkin

Banned out of fear of inciting a Communist revolution.

1943–1945

Mrs. Miniver

Banned during World War II.

1943–1950

Johnny Eager

Banned during World War II and finally released on March 31, 1950.

1955–1959

Rififi

Banned for its depiction of cracking security safes. The government feared it might inspire copycat crimes. The ban was lifted after five years.[better source needed]

1960–1981

Peeping Tom

Banned for 21 years.[better source needed]

1962–1986

One, Two, Three

Banned for 24 years due to its political satire, which could offend their ally and neighbouring country, the Soviet Union. (Finland had a policy of Finlandization).

1969–1989

The Great Silence

Banned by the Finnish Board of Film in June 1969 for violence. Ban was lifted in February 1989 after several minutes of cuts. The film was still rated as K18 (suitable for adults only) and as such VHS versions of the film were also not allowed. The film has never received a proper premier in Finland although it has been aired three times in television (1994, 1999 and 2009).

1971–2000

The Devils

Banned on its initial release in 1971 for violence and content which could potentially be hazardous to mental health. The decision to ban was ultimately taken to highest available court which did not lift the ban. A second round of banning was then seen in 1985 and the government officials used the same exact phrasing in their decision to ban as was done 14 years earlier. The ban was finally automatically lifted after a law change in 2001.

1972

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Banned by the Finnish Board of Film. In 1972 and 1974 Swedish television showed the film, resulting in the Swedish television mast on Åland being shut down during the movie because Finns were banned from seeing the film. Director of the Finnish Board of Film, Jerker Eriksson, said that the banning of the film was political because it harmed the Finnish-Soviet relationship. Finnish television showed the film in 1996 on the TV1 YLE channel.

1972

Dirty Harry

Banned in February 1972 for violence and mental health reasons. The distributor challenged the banning and took the decision to ban to Finnish Supreme administrative Court which ruled against banning. After minor cuts, it was banned again. A second round of court cases (again, won by the distributor) forced the banning authorities to allow the film to be distributed. They did so but only after mandatory cuts of over three minutes. Finally in January 1973 the cut film premiered in Finland.

1974–1996

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Banned because of graphic violence.

1976

Ultime grida dalla savana

This film is entirely banned for the possible inclusion of scenes of genuine human death.[citation needed]

1976–2000

Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma

Banned in 1976 for moral, mental health and appropriateness reasons. The banning renewed again in 1984 with the defined exception of two specific screenings by the Finnish Film Archive. Finally a law change in 2001 removed the ban.

1980

Cruising

Banned on its initial release.

1980–2000

All Friday the 13th movies

Banned on each films' initial release until a law change in 2001 when all films in the franchise automatically reverted to a K18 (adults only) classification.

1981–1991

Dead & Buried

Banned on its initial release. A considerably shortened version was allowed in 1991 with a K16 classification (allowed for persons over the age of 16).

1982

Just Before Dawn

Banned for violence for 4 months until a cut version (around 2 minutes of cuts) was allowed with a classification of K18 (adults only).

1986

Born American

Banned in January 1986 for its violence and for political reasons. The political reasons were that the movie was "potentially harmful to international relations". A court appeal to Finnish Supreme administrative Court decided against the banning (after some cuts would be made) and authorities were forced to dismantle the ban (with more cuts) and the movie premiered in late December 1986 after a struggle of almost a year. 20 years after the movie was banned, it was revealed (by a politics researcher and academic Juhani Suomi in his book "Kohti sinipunaa") that the authorities were in fact "instructed" to ban the film and that the banning was dictated by the Soviet Union's ambassador Vladimir Sobolev. Born American was the last movie in Finland to suffer banning for political reasons.

1986–2000

The House on the Edge of the Park

Banned for violence in 1986; it took six years after the film's release for any distributor to even try to get a classification. A law change in 2001 finally lifted the ban.

1988–2003

Child's Play

Banned due to excessive graphic violence.

1925–1953

Battleship Potemkin

Banned due to fears that it could inspire revolution.

1930

L'Age d'Or

Banned in Paris by the police prefect "in the name of public order".

1933–1946

Zéro de Conduite

Banned because of a plot where pupils take over a repressive school. The ban remained in effect under Nazi occupation for the same reason.

1943

Le Corbeau

Banned from 1945 until 1947, because the film was produced under the Nazi regime with financial support too. It was also seen as a negative portrayal of French people and accused of harboring sympathies for the Vichy regime. After two years, however, the ban was lifted again.[better source needed]

1950–1990

Afrique 50

Banned for criticizing the French colonial rule. Its director, René Vautier, was condemned to one year in prison.

1953

Les statues meurent aussi (Statues Also Die)

Banned because it suggested that Western civilization is responsible for the decline of African art. The film was seen at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953, but subsequently banned by the French censor.

1954

Avant le déluge

Banned due to its controversial criminal content.

1954–1981

Carmen Jones

Banned due to a technicality in copyright laws on order of the estate of composer Georges Bizet (on whose opera Carmen the film was based).

1955–1957

Bel Ami

Banned on its initial release. Released after two years in a censored version.

1955–1980

Le Rendez-vous des quais

Banned for representing dockers who refused to dispatch military supplies for use in the Indochina War.

1957–1975

Paths of Glory

Banned in France for two decades because of its critical depiction of the French army during World War I.

1960

Le Petit Soldat

Banned on political grounds; the ban was lifted in 1963 with re-editing.

1961

Tu ne tueras point

Banned for two years because it depicts a soldier during World War II who has conscientious objections.

1965–1971

The Battle of Algiers

Banned for six years because of its pro-Algerian and anticolonial message.

1965–1971

Det kære legetøj

Banned for advocating pornography.

1972

Mais ne nous délivrez pas du mal

Banned for its depiction of violence and sexuality involving adolescents.

1974–1977

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Banned for its violent and sadistic content.

1977

Camp de Thiaroye

Banned for criticizing the colonial system.

2000

Baise-Moi

Banned from French cinema screens in 2000 after being given an X-rating. Eventually, in August 2001, it was reclassified from age bracket 16 to 18.

2016

Antichrist

Banned on 3 February 2016, over sexual and violent content, despite being allowed on its initial release in 2009. The ban was a result of the Catholic traditionalist pressure group Promouvoir who wanted the 16 rating to be reclassified to prevent minors from seeing it. A French court ruled in their favor. As a new certificate is being decided the film is now banned from all cinemas, TV broadcasts, and video releases. The movie was released uncut in 2023 with an 18 certificate, the highest in the country.

1955

Les Maîtres Fous

A documentary about the religious rituals of the Hauka tribe. Banned in Ghana and several other French and English colonies in Africa at the time because of the Africans' blatant attempts to mimic and mock the "white oppressors". On the other hand, African students, teachers, and directors found the film to perpetrate an "exotic racism" of the African people.

1914

Golfo (1914)

Banned for its royalist sentiments.

1967–1974

Z (1969)

Banned under the colonel's regime, for being critical of the junta.

2017–present

All Winnie-the-Pooh films

Films featuring Winnie-the-Pooh are banned from mainland China due to the offending internet meme comparison with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping in 2017. Even the horror parody films, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel, are not allowed in that region.

2022

The Dark Knight

Banned in 2022 after a review, despite it being partially filmed in Hong Kong and having previously been allowed.

1945

Jud Süss (1940)

Banned since the end of the World War II due to its anti-Jewish and pro-Nazi content.[citation needed]

1947–1979

Ének a búzamezőkről (Song of the Cornfields)

Banned for being 'clerical', depiction of the controversial issue of Hungarian prisoners held by the Soviets and depicting religious values.

1956–1986

Keserű igazság (Bitter Truth)

Banned for criticising the forced industrialisation of Hungary.

1956–1989

Eltüsszentett birodalom (An Empire Sneezed Away)

Banned for depicting a monarch sharing similarities with the dictatorship of Hungarian communist leader Mátyás Rákosi.

1957–1984

A nagyrozsdási eset (The Nagyrozsdás case)

Nagyrozsdás is an imaginary small town in Hungary, the film is a satire. Banned for depicting the corruption of the dictatorship of Hungarian communist leader Mátyás Rákosi.

1969–1981, 1998–2010

A tanú (The Witness)

Banned under the Communist government for almost a decade, because it satirized the regime. Was later banned again in 1998 for containing an explicit depiction of animal abuse. This scene was later cut, resulting in the film being unbanned in 2010 and released with a 12 rating.[citation needed]

1973–1984

A határozat (The decision)

The documentary, made in the final hours of the reform attempts of the so-called "new economic mechanism", shows how the leaders of the Bicske district party organization try to remove the manager-type, agile and successful president of the Új Élet Production Cooperative in Felcsút in an autocratic manner, by party decision, but their undermining efforts temporarily fail due to the resistance of the production cooperative membership.

1974–1984

Bástyasétány hetvennégy (Bastion promenade '74)

Banned for unclear reasons.

1976–?

Tantörténet (Fairy tale)

The documentary tells the story of a Hungarian woman.

1982–1989

Pócspetri (Pócspetri is a Hungarian village town in northeastern Hungary)

The documentary examined the civil unrest in the settlement of Pócspetri in 1948 – distorted in the press at the time – and the subsequent trials.

1983–1989

Álombrigád (Dream Brigade)

Banned for being too radical.

1984

The Final Countdown

Presumably it was banned for political reasons.

1985–1989

Hagyd beszélni Kutruczot! (Let Kutrucz speak!)

This was a documentary film that processed journalist Gizella Kutrucz's research into the anti-Semitic writer Zoltán Bosnyák, who was executed under mysterious circumstances in 1952.

1985–1989

„Bebukottak” (Hungarian slang word, meaning approximately "they failed")

This documentary film presented the life of the juvenile prison in Tököl was banned due to its brutality – with only acted scenes in the film. It was only after the Hungarian regime change in 1990 that it could be freely distributed again.

1994

ÁVOsok (ÁVOs)

The 1994 MTV film about the ÁVO (Hungarian State Police State Defense Department) was banned due to a complaint by Mazsihisz (Federation of the Jewish Communities of Hungary), on the grounds that it emphasized the origin of the perpetrators of the murder of Raoul Wallenberg.

1994

Törvénytelen szocializmus (Illegal Socialism)

The 1994 MTV film about illegal Socialism was banned due to a complaint by Mazsihisz (Federation of the Jewish Communities of Hungary), on the grounds that it exaggerated the origin of the perpetrators.

1985–1999

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Banned due to high level of violence; a censored version was later released.

1987

Nekromantik

Banned due to its transgressive subject matter (including necrophilia) and audacious imagery.[citation needed]

1992

Cannibal Holocaust

Banned due to very high impact violence and offensive depictions of both human and animal cruelty. Still banned.

1955

Genangan Air Mata (1955)

Banned as of Roostijati's death in 1975.

1976

Max Havelaar

Banned for its parallels between the anti-colonial story and the then present-day regime.

1982

The Year of Living Dangerously

Banned for its criticism of Sukarno's regime. The ban was lifted in 1999.

1994

Schindler's List

Banned for being sympathetic to the Jewish cause.

1994

True Lies

Banned due to controversy that focused on Muslim leaders insulting Islam and portraying themselves as religious extremists.

2006

The Black Road, Tale of Crocodiles, Passabe, and Timor Lorosae: The Unseen Massacre

Banned for being critical of the Indonesian Government. The Black Road is about Aceh and the other three films are about East Timor.

2007

Long Road to Heaven

Banned on the island of Bali, as local politicians worried that the film, which about the 2002 Bali bombings, might promote hatred and intolerance.

2009

Balibo

Banned for being critical of the Indonesian government. This Australian film is based on the story of the Balibo Five, a group of journalists killed during the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor.

2014

Noah

Banned because of its depiction of the prophets.

2015

Fifty Shades of Grey

Banned due to its sexual content; however, Johan Tjasmadi, member of Lembaga Sensor Film (Film Censorship Board), said that the film was never registered to the board.

1969

Gaav (The Cow)

Banned briefly by the regime of The Shah, due to what was perceived as the film depicting Iran as a rural, culturally backwards society. The film would later be allowed to screen on the condition that the film would begin with a disclaimer explaining to audiences that the film is set several decades ago, and does not reflect a modern Iran.

1975

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom

Banned due to graphic violence and nudity.

1980

Cruising

Banned on its initial release.

1981

Bita

Banned under the censorship act of 1981 because it criticized exploitation of women by men.

1981

Ghaire aze Khoudo Hitch Kass Naboud

Banned under the censorship act of 1981 because it depicts a lesbian relationship and a controversy.

1996

Gabbeh

Banned for being "subversive".

1996

Nūn o goldūn (A Moment of Innocence)

Banned because of its theme that different people can experience the same incident in a different way.

2000

The Circle

Briefly banned on its initial release.

2001

Zoolander

Banned for perceived support of gay rights.

2002

Ten

Banned for discussion of gender discrimination.

2003

Crimson Gold

2003

Bruce Almighty

Banned for the blasphemous content.

2004–2020

Marmoulak

Pulled from cinemas two weeks after its premiere in Iran due to the film mocking conservative attitudes of the clerics in Iran. In 2020, the uncut film was granted a license for screening by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

2006

Offside

2010

300

Banned for its negative portrayal of Persian people and the Achaemenid Empire.

2012

Argo

Banned for its negative portrayal of Iran. It was the only Academy Award-winning Best Picture to be banned in the country.

2020

There Is No Evil

Secretly recorded and banned from exhibition for its themes criticising the Iranian government's use of capital punishment. The government also temporarily prohibited the film's director Mohammad Rasoulof from making films in the country, imprisoned him, and prohibited him from travel outside Iran.

1959

Ben-Hur

Banned from all Arab League states because actress Haya Harareet was Israeli.

1999

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

Banned under the Ba'athist regime for depicting Saddam Hussein in a mocking light.

2006

Borat

Banned in every Arab League country except Lebanon.

2015

American Sniper

Banned for being an "insult to the population".

2022

Lightyear

Banned due to a brief lesbian kiss scene.

1948

Oliver Twist

Banned on its initial release, because the character of Fagin was deemed to be antisemitic.

1957

The Girl in the Kremlin

Banned because it may have harmed Israel's diplomatic relations with Moscow.

1957

China Gate

Banned for indulging in excessive cruelty. The Israeli film censorship board indicated the film depicted Chinese and Russian soldiers as "monsters".

1965

Goldfinger

Banned after it was revealed that one of the main actors, Gert Fröbe, had a Nazi past. The film had only run for six weeks in the theaters. It was unbanned a few months later when a man went to the Israeli Embassy in Vienna and told the staff that Fröbe hid him and his mother from the Nazis (which may have saved their lives).

1973

Hitler: The Last Ten Days

Banned because the censorship board unanimously felt that the portrayal of Hitler was "too human".

1987

In the Realm of the Senses

Banned because of pornographic content.

1988

The Last Temptation of Christ

Banned on the grounds that it could offend Christians.

2004, 2021

Jenin, Jenin

Banned by the Israeli Film Ratings Board on the premise that it was libelous and might offend the public; the Supreme Court of Israel later overturned the decision. In 2021, the film was banned yet again after a lower court ruled in favor of a plaintiff who had appeared in the film.

2004

Shrek 2

Banned briefly in 2004, though not for the film itself, but because of the Hebrew dub. A joke about Israeli singer David D'Or's high voice was added, in which one character threaten to emasculate another by saying "Let's do a David D'or on him". This remark prompted the artist to take legal action.

1933–1945

Duck Soup

Banned under the fascist government of Benito Mussolini for poking fun at dictators and war.

1937–1945

La Grande Illusion

Banned under the fascist government of Benito Mussolini for its anti-war message.

1955

Toto and Carolina

Banned on its initial release for poking fun at the police.

1962

Jules and Jim

Banned initially for its sexual attitudes, but after protest this ban was quickly lifted.[better source needed]

1972–1986

Last Tango in Paris

Banned from 1972 to 1986 for being "obscene".

1982–2009

Lion of the Desert

Banned from 1982 until 2009 as it was considered damaging to the honor of the Italian Army.

1939–1946

The Mikado

Banned until after World War II because could be construed as disrespectful towards the Emperor of Japan.

1945–1952

The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail

Banned in Japan by the US occupying government for seven years, because of the "feudal values".[better source needed]

1976–1982

In the Realm of the Senses

Banned in Japan for its graphic sex scenes. In 1982 the court ruled in director Nagisa Ōshima's favor, but the film is still only available in a censored cut.

1969

Horrors of Malformed Men

Banned after its initial release because could be construed as disrespectful towards hibakusha.

1973

Half Human

Banned since 1973 because of controversy surrounding on-screen depictions of the burakumin.

1974

Prophecies of Nostradamus

Banned after its initial release because could be construed as disrespectful towards hibakusha.

1986–1998

Pulgasari

Banned in Japanese theaters until 1998 for "political reasons", according to the Yomiuri Shimbun.

2011

Hereafter

Withdrawn from all cinemas a few days after the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, two weeks earlier than originally planned. Warner Bros. spokesperson Satoru Otani said "the film's terrifying tsunami scenes were 'not appropriate' at this time".