Hollywood is no stranger to controversies. In this section, we bring you the list of the most controversial, problematic movies the world's richest film industry has produced in the last more than 100 years.
1. The Birth of a Nation (1915):
DW Griffith’s silent film glorifies the Ku Klux Klan and portrays Black people in a racist, derogatory manner. It sparked protests and bans for its white supremacist narrative, despite being a technical milestone in filmmaking.
2. A Clockwork Orange (1971):
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s novel depicts extreme violence, sexual assault, and psychological manipulation. Its graphic content led to bans in several countries and debates over glorifying violence, prompting Kubrick to withdraw it from UK distribution.
3. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988):
Martin Scorsese’s film portrays Jesus Christ grappling with human desires, including a dream sequence of a sexual relationship. Religious groups, particularly Christians, protested it as blasphemous, leading to bans and violent demonstrations in some regions. The film faced significant criticism primarily from some Christian groups due to its portrayal of Jesus Christ as experiencing human weaknesses, doubts, fears, and even sexual desires. The film's climax, where Jesus on the cross is tempted with a vision of a normal life, including marriage and children with Mary Magdalene, was considered by many to be the most blasphemous element.
4. Natural Born Killers (1994):
Oliver Stone’s satirical take on media sensationalism follows a couple on a killing spree. Its hyper-violent imagery was blamed for inspiring real-life copycat crimes. The perpetrators in some high-profile cases cited the film as an inspiration, fueling public outrage and calls for censorship. The Columbine High School massacre killers even reportedly referred to their plan as "NBK".
5. JFK (1991):
Oliver Stone’s political thriller questions the official narrative of John F Kennedy’s assassination, suggesting a conspiracy. Critics and historians slammed it for blending fact with speculation, accusing it of distorting history, while it stirred public distrust in government institutions. Critics, including major newspapers, accused Stone of distorting facts, manufacturing witnesses and events, and presenting speculation as truth. Scenes and characters were allegedly created or altered to fit the film's narrative of a broad conspiracy.
