When it comes to movie ratings, NC-17 or X certification has been as strict as it gets, meaning these horror movies were really only for adults. Although the already strict R rating meant that those under 17 required an accompanying parent or adult guardian to view the film, this classification prevented all young people from seeing these controversial, divisive, and extremely violent films. Many of these horror films went well beyond the normal boundaries of acceptability and were likely to give viewers nightmares no matter how old they were.
Some of the scariest horror films of all time were rated NC-17 or X, although it was often more than just gore and violence that led to such classifications. Intense themes, highly sexualized imagery and pure profanity can also lead to classifiers such as the Motion Picture Association (MPAA) and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). consider these films for adults only. All of these films contain highly controversial content and viewers should be warned that they view them at their own risk.
10
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Directed by Ruggero Deodato
An Italian found horror footage Cannibal Holocaust was so convincingly terrifying that it became the subject of an obscenity trial (via Central Bank of the Russian Federation) and was banned in several countries around the world. Following the story of a film crew going missing in the Amazon rainforest, this pioneering example of exploitation cinema became even more chilling when it was revealed that they had fallen prey to a local tribe of cannibals. It’s unsurprisingly filled with violent images and disturbing themes. Cannibal Holocaust received a strict X rating for its rich content.
Cannibal Holocaust was an early example of found footage horror, and for this reason some viewers mistook its contents for reality. By presenting the film as real footage of the murdered film crew, Ruggero Deodato played with audience expectations in a way no one expected. Although today the popularity of such series as Paranormal activity means that audiences can easily understand when a fictional film is simply presenting itself as fact, audiences at the time were not so sure, which led to Cannibal Holocaust now a disgraceful reputation.
9
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
Directed by Meir Zarchi
I spit on your grave was one of the few films that a respected film critic Roger Ebert gave a no-star rating, stating that it “disgusting bag of garbage“it was”without the slightest artistic difference” While this cult classic also has its apologists, it’s not surprising that this graphic tale of rape and revenge against a woman seeking revenge on the men who brutally attacked her and left her for dead has caused great controversy. Depending on who’s talking about it, I spit on your grave was either a powerful feminist document about female empowerment or a misogynistic exercise in pure vulgarity.
Bye I spit on your grave was originally rated R, but the addition of additional scenes of graphic sexual violence meant it was later upgraded to X (via New York Times.) However, an agreement was later reached as the film was re-edited with MPAA reinstates R rating. Despite these changes, I spit on your grave remained highly controversial and was banned in many countries, including Ireland, Norway, Iceland and West Germany.
8
Santa Sangre (1989)
Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky
Tragic, creepy, cruel and beautiful film Santa Sangre was An avant-garde triumph in surreal psychological horror from director Alejandro Jodorowsky. This stunning and strangely moving journey into a world of violence, vulgarity and provocation, telling the story of Phoenix, a boy raised in a Mexican circus, perfectly captures the unique appeal of Jodorowsky’s exceptional artistic vision. Although it was a deeply disturbing film, Santa Sangre still took a place on Empire magazine’s 2008 list of the 500 greatest films of all time.
Santa Sangre rated NC-17 in the US. for scenes containing extreme images of explicit violence (via Movie ratings.) However, an edited version was also released and was rated R as it retained bizarre depictions of violence, sensuality and drug content. As an insightful look at the hallucinatory lens of 1960s psychedelia, Santa Sangre contained a moral message about resisting evil. Although Santa Sangre Made for challenging viewing, it also became one of the most successful horror films of the 1980s.
7
Devils (1971)
Directed by Ken Russell
Ken Russell was one of Britain’s most idiosyncratic directors, making such surreal classics as Who. Tommy and intense psychological horrors such as Gothic. One of Russell’s most controversial films was the 1971 film. Devilsan intense historical horror focusing on a 17th century priest accused of witchcraft. This is not surprising given the graphic violence and sexual imagery. Devils has been heavily edited in many countries and banned outright in others.
Devils rated X in the UK and USand Russell later expressed disappointment that the editing demands ruined the film’s integrity (via API). Russell stated that the 108-minute American addition “killed a key scene“, depicting the sexual abuse of Jesus Christ, and that “Warner Brothers Cut the Best of ‘The Devils’” The director also stated that unwanted edits “negatively affected the story, to the point where the film became incoherent and incomprehensible in America.“
6
Salo, or 120 days of Sodom (1975)
Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
The latest film by Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini. Salo, or 120 days of Sodom It was an intense political horror film centered on four rich and corrupt Italian libertines during the fascist Salò Republic. The film shockingly shows how the men kidnapped 18 teenagers and subjected them to four months of extreme violence, sadism, genital torture and psychological torture. As a deeply unnerving and difficult film to take in, though Salo may have had compelling social and political implications, but the vulgarity and brutal violence on display took the situation into uncomfortable territory.
Salo It premiered at the Paris Film Festival in 1975 and was later shown in Italy before being banned in January 1976. Subject of intense controversy and censorship. Salo was only approved for theatrical and video release in the UK in 2000. (by using BBFC.) Having received this approval, the British Board of Film Classification warned that “people who decide to watch the film will, because of its fame, be aware of its content.“
5
Flesh for Frankenstein (1973)
Director Paul Morrissey
Although Flesh for Frankenstein was also released under the title Frankenstein by Andy WarholThe famous pop artist practically did not participate in the work on the film, with the exception of a brief visit to the set. Instead, director Paul Morrissey was the creative force behind this subversive film containing explicit sexuality, nudity and violence. Some cinemas show the 3D version. Flesh for Frankenstein was a uniquely unpleasant take on Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel.
It follows Baron Frankenstein’s attempts to create two zombies, one male and one female, and force them to mate to create a superior race. Flesh for Frankenstein was a terrible example of the horror of European exploitation. The MPAA gave it an X rating for graphic content.but it remained an effective satire and homage to earlier horror films such as James Whale’s 1931 version. Frankenstein. This is a bloody and outlandish release, Flesh for Frankenstein was a hidden gem for fans of subversive 1970s horror.
4
Crash (1996)
Directed by David Cronenberg
Director David Cronenberg won the Cannes Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize for his highly subversive film. Crash. This strange film, which tells the story of film producer and car crash survivor James Ballard, who joins a group of symphorophiles turned on by car crashes, explores his attempts to rekindle his relationship with his wife. It’s the perfect combination of Cronenberg’s fascination with body horror and personal excess. Crash the film was very difficult to define.
It seems the censors also had their own problems understanding Crash, and it became first film to receive NC-17 in the US since Showgirls. With graphic images of sexual acts provoked by violence. Crash was a highly controversial and divisive film. However, it also remains a defining release in Cronenberg’s filmography and one of his most controversial and deeply layered films.
3
Peeping Tom (1960)
Directed by Michael Powell
Psychological horror Peeping Tom revolved around a serial killer who used a handheld camera to capture his dying victim’s expression of horror. A truly subversive horror film Peeping Tom was one of the most graphic depictions of voyeurism seen in British cinema of the 1960s. Controversial topic Peeping Tom resulted in negative reviews upon release and had a negative impact on Michael Powell’s film career. However, the film has since gained a cult following and has been re-rated as an underrated hidden horror gem.
Peeping Tom had to be cut seven times to get an X rating from the British Board of Film Classification and actually contained much more graphic images than what was originally presented. Nude scenes, the murder of a prostitute, and a character’s suicide were removed from the approved edition. Peeping Tom just to classify it as X. Although Peeping Tom was unfairly condemned at the time of its release, a Martin Scorsese-led revival (via BBFC) helped repair its reputation in the 1970s.
2
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Directed by George A. Romero
George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with his groundbreaking 1968 classic. Night of the Living Dead. This highly influential release led to the creation of an entire franchise as Romero continued to explore the impact of the zombie apocalypse on society. The most famous sequel of this series. Dawn of the Deadshowed more survivors of the outbreak barricaded in a shopping center amid mass hysteria and panic.
Dawn of the Dead pushed zombies into terrifying new territory and received an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. The situation was more tense in Britain, where copies Dawn of the Dead were seized during the video abomination moral panic of the 1980s. Instead of dealing with the commercial disaster of releasing an X-rated film, Romero decided to release the film without ratingwhere it was a major box office success and has since grossed an impressive $102 million (via Cashier Mojo.)
1
Evil Dead (1981)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Independent supernatural horror Evil Dead started a popular franchise that has since continued with sequels, stand-alone films and even a television series. While later installments embraced the more comedic aspects of the franchise, the original Evil Dead was a much more serious and frightening novel as it explored demons and spirits haunting a group of students in an isolated cabin. A very influential film Evil Dead wasn’t afraid to push cinematic boundaries with graphic images of violence and sex.
Raimi made one of the most famous splatter films of all time. Evil Dead without fear of censorship, and was given an X certificate in the UK and US. For various theatrical and home video releases Evil Deadsome scenes were cut (via BBFC), as moments like the infamous tree attack scene still manage to shock viewers. Despite being a touchstone horror story, Evil Dead still banned in some countries (via Independent.)
Sources: Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Roger Ebert, New York Times, Movie ratings, API, BBFC, BBFC, Cashier Mojo, BBFC, Independent