This short list avoids the "Video Nasties," which we'll save for another collection.
Since the first work of art was presented to the world, censorship has sharply followed. Films have been suppressed, edited, hidden, or destroyed because of what they showed or discussed. While outright bans are less common in the United States, removing films from theaters and circulation around the world has caused many movies to become difficult, or sometimes impossible, for the public to see.
VHS and DVD changed how accessible movies could be. Physical media gave people a way to own, share, trade, and preserve films outside of theaters and traditional distribution. And now, in the age of streaming, it is easier than ever for a movie to disappear with little or no warning.
Buying a physical movie does more than support the film and the people who released it. It also helps keep that film available.
Check out some of the films that were banned below, along with our featured collection.
Antichrist
Seven years after it was released, Lars von Trier's Antichrist was banned in 2016. Gainsbourg crushing Dafoe's presence with her intense acting was inaccessible to French audiences via sale, rental, or streaming. The ban has since been lifted.
Black Sunday
Prior to the Video Nasty era, Black Sunday (The Mask of Satan) was banned in 1961 and was not released uncut in the country for another 31 years. A censored version appeared in 1968, but the film was not released uncut in the UK until 1992.
Brokeback Mountain
Although considered a success and significant work of art, the immediate backlash to the "gay cowboy movie" was significant. Banned in most of the Middle East and China, the film has been passed around in those regions through bootleg copies.
Last Tango in Paris
Banned in Italy for 15 years and given an X rating in the United States. It was also restricted in Australia, Norway, and Germany.
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Accused of blasphemy, Life of Brian was banned in Ireland, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, and apartheid South Africa.
Titicut Follies
Since the release of the film, it has been the subject of multiple court cases. For years it was only accessible to medical professionals. In 1991 the film was rescreened, 24 years after it was released.
Viridiana
"I didn't deliberately set out to be blasphemous, but then Pope John XXIII is a better judge of such things than I am."
— Director Buñuel on the censorship of the film.
In Spain, the film was seized and banned.
Sweet Movie and W.R.: Mysteries of the Organism
W.R. was banned in director Makavejev's home country of Yugoslavia for 16 years after release. Sweet Movie was completely inaccessible for decades after it was released.
