Who knew an innocent, honey-loving bear could cause such a stir? Since 2013, the internet has been buzzing with memes comparing China's President Xi Jinping with none other than Winnie the Pooh! It all started with a casual stroll featuring Presidents Xi and Obama, which the witty web compared to Pooh and Tigger in stride.
Despite the light-hearted nature, China's government isn't laughing. In fact, they've cracked down on Pooh-related content, fearing that their authority is being undermined by a fictional bear. Even Disney's Christopher Robin movie was blocked from release in China – turns out, not everyone loves a little honeyed humor.
Did you know E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial almost didn't phone home in Sweden, Finland, or Norway? It's true! Officials in these countries placed an age restriction on the beloved, heartwarming film, thinking it might frighten young kids.
But after some spirited E.T. love from the public, they had a change of heart, lifted the restriction, and E.T. was finally allowed to spread his "magic touch" to kids and families, turning the Nordic skies into a captivating cosmic playground!
The movie Team America: World Police was not officially banned in North Korea, as the country has no official film certification process. However, it is believed that the film was banned from public screenings in the country due to its depiction of North Korea's then-leader Kim Jong-il as a villain.
North Korea leaves no stone unturned when it comes to shielding their people from foreign media and criticism of their leaders. Guess playing with satire is just too risky for some!
You know a movie is wild when multiple African countries are like, "Nah, we're good." The Wolf of Wall Street was just too much for their standards, with its drugs, sex, and crime on display. But let's be real, that's pretty much par for the course for Hollywood nowadays. Some places were cool with playing it, but only after hacking away up to a full hour of footage.
Meanwhile, us Americans got the whole shebang. We can't say we're surprised, though—we love our excess.
Okay, so picture this: Ireland's population is mostly made up of devout Catholics, which means they take their morals pretty seriously. Back in 1923, they passed the oh-so-fun Censorship of Films Act to keep anything deemed inappropriate out of their theaters.
They were so strict, in fact, that they banned the movie Brief Encounter for showing two married characters falling in love at a train station. Guess they weren't down to make adultery look cool.
Did you know that the Wonder Woman we all love and admire is played by the talented Gal Gadot, who hails from Israel? But here's the kicker: the film was banned in Lebanon—just because of Gal's nationality! Talk about ridiculous.
Lebanese fans were denied the opportunity to experience one of the biggest blockbusters of the year just because of some silly political tension. Ah well, at least we can all appreciate the fierce and inspiring female superhero that Gal brought to life on the big screen.
Peek behind the scenes of Brokedown Palace, and you'll find actress Claire Danes on location in some dodgy spots in the Philippine islands. Unfortunately, her experience wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, and she shared her not-so-favorable impressions of the country with the media. In fact, she kind of dissed Manila, calling it a "giant toilet full of crazy people"—yikes!
You can imagine how the locals didn't appreciate the shade and decided to ban any movie featuring Danes. Moral of the story: be careful what you say about your vacation destination, lest you get blacklisted from future visits!
Ahoy, me hearties! Guess which blockbuster film was given the ol' censorship double whammy by China? That's right, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was not only banned for showing human cannibalism, but also for revealing the souls of the dead.
Looks like China won't be hoisting the Jolly Roger anytime soon!
Who would have thought that a James Bond film could cause such controversy? It wasn't the usual saucy scenes that got Goldfinger banned in Israel; it was the fact that the actor playing the villain was a former member of the German party during WWII. But here's the twist: Gert Frobe, the aforementioned actor, actually helped Jews escape from concentration camps during the war.
This revelation prompted a reversal of the ban, proving that sometimes things aren't always black and white.
Picture this: a blue-blooded socialite escapes to live with her sister in New York after a taxing life of luxury. Sounds like a movie plot that can relate, right? Well, hold onto your popcorn, because India had a different take.
They actually banned the movie because of a single scene of a comedian smoking. Who knew one puff could cause so much controversy?
Imagine being so afraid of ghosts that you ban a whole movie just for depicting them. That's exactly what China did with the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot. Apparently, it "promotes cults or superstition." But let's be real, who hasn't had a little ghostly encounter before?
Perhaps China just needs to call in the Ghostbusters for a little help instead of completely avoiding the subject.
Who knew that four fabulous ladies living in the city could cause such a stir? The SATC franchise has been banned in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates for being too hot to handle.
These past-their-prime women must be doing something right if they're shaking up the conservative culture of the Middle East.
Have you ever heard of a movie that was so violent and disturbing that it got banned? Well, that's the case for Hostel.
This movie is not for the faint of heart, it's got some graphic violence that even the strongest stomachs might find hard to handle. Trust us, you don't want to put yourself through that. It's better to stick to something a little less intense.
China can be pretty strict about its entertainment standards, to put it mildly. From time travel to fantasy, they're quick to shut down anything that doesn't fit within their boundaries. And while we can all agree that we're not wild about feudal superstitions either, sometimes it seems like they're reaching a little too far.
Case in point: the classic movie Back to the Future was banned for featuring characters altering the past. Apparently, China isn't too keen on messing with the timeline. Who knew time travel could be so controversial?
Let's throw it back to 2008 when Hillary Clinton was blazing a trail to become the President of the United States. But wait, there's more! An exciting documentary about her life was about to make its debut.
Unfortunately, her rivals called it propaganda and used the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act to shut it down. Talk about trying to rain on her parade!
Have you ever made something so good that you had to hide it away for your own safety? That's exactly what happened with Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, A Clockwork Orange. This controversial film was so intense it actually received death threats against the director's family.
To protect himself, Kubrick asked UK censors to ban the movie from theaters. Talk about a movie with some serious power!
Back in '55, a little-known flick called Rififi got some major attention—but not the good kind. The movie followed a band of daring burglars planning the heist of the century, but it was banned in Finland over fears that people would take inspiration from their criminal antics.
We may not be breaking into banks, but we can definitely relate to wanting to live out our favorite films in real life.
If you've heard of the movie Cuties, you might know that it's caused quite a stir lately. It's a French movie about a young girl who joins a dance group, but it's also got a lot of provocative scenes with young girls dressed up in some very adult outfits.
It became so controversial that Netflix actually took it down after people protested, and some countries even banned it entirely.
Who knew that even Disney could fall victim to the censorship gods? Apparently, The Vanishing Prairie documentary about our beloved grasslands and the critters that call it home was deemed too explicit for the likes of the New Yorkers. What was the offending scene that was too much for their delicate eyes?
A mere depiction of a buffalo calf being born! Apparently, the good folks in the Empire State have a thing for storks delivering babies—whether you're human or animal, it seems.
Ever heard of a little movie called Schindler's List? Well, in some Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries, it's about as banned as a rock concert in the Vatican. The Oscar-winning drama about the Holocaust didn't sit well with some Muslim-majority nations, leading to full-on censorship.
Malaysia, in particular, was not feeling seven specific scenes featuring nudity, sex, and violence. But hey, don't blame Spielberg for sticking to his guns. To this day, Schindler's List remains off-limits in certain parts of the world.
Martin Scorsese's movies are absolute must-sees, but they also tend to stir up some drama. Take The Last Temptation of Christ, for example; it courted controversy thanks to its portrayal of Jesus as a fully fleshed-out human being. Sure, he had some risque thoughts and a whole mess of complicated emotions, but isn't that what being alive is all about?
Unfortunately, not everyone saw it that way. Protests erupted, and the movie was banned in both New Orleans and Savannah, Georgia. Who knew Jesus could be so polarizing?
North Korea takes hero worship to a whole new level—so much so that they banned the movie 2012 because it coincided with the 100th anniversary of their former leader Kim Il-Sung.
They were so intent on celebrating that they didn't want anything, not even a disaster movie about the end of the world, to rain on their parade. Talk about devotion!
You know you've made it in Hollywood when your movie gets banned in China for one measly scene. That's what happened to The Departed, where Chinese agents were shown buying some military tech off of good ol' Jack Nicholson. But apparently, showing Chinese people as criminals was a no-go for the powers that be. Who knew one scene could cause such a stir?
People are still talking about it to this day. Guess you could say the movie made a real depart from China's good graces.
Everyone loves Monty Python films—well, not everyone was on board for Life of Brian. It was so controversial that Norway and some American towns banned it, and the U.K. decided it was a big no-no.
But fans wouldn't stand for it, and after a rerelease and some serious outcry, the ban was finally lifted in 2004. Guess you can't keep the Pythons down!
Who would have thought that a movie about aliens would spark a heated debate on racism? District 9 seemed to hit a sore spot for Nigerians, who felt the movie was portraying them as villains.
Despite the fact that the film had an important message against racism, it was paradoxically banned in Nigeria for being "too racist." It just goes to show that even a movie about extraterrestrial beings can still stir up real-life controversy.
If you're a fan of raunchy comedies, then Zack and Miri Make a P definitely deserves a spot on your movie night lineup. But, fair warning, this movie is not for the faint of heart. It's a bold and daring film that, true to its title, explores the world of entertainment with gusto.
In fact, some theaters across America were so shocked by its explicit content that they banned it outright. And don't even get us started on that banned poster! But if you're someone who enjoys a good laugh and can handle a healthy dose of nudity and raunchy shenanigans, then Zack and Miri Make a P is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared to blush a time or two.
Picture this: You've been eagerly waiting to catch the latest blockbuster at the cinema. You've got your popcorn, your soda, and you're ready to be wowed. But then the government steps in and says, "Nope, sorry, this movie's too anti-war. Not gonna happen." That's exactly what happened to the people of South Korea in 1979 when Francis Ford Coppola's epic war film, Apocalypse Now, was banned by President Park Chung-hee.
While the rest of the world was raving about the film's stunning cinematography and unforgettable performances, South Koreans had to settle for reruns of Three's Company or whatever was on TV back then. Talk about a buzzkill.
Have you ever watched Borat and wondered where the hell Kazakhstan is? Same. But turns out, it's a real-life country and apparently, they were not thrilled with how their people were portrayed in the mockumentary. Fair enough.
Fast forward a few years and turns out, the movie actually helped put Kazakhstan on the map (who knew, right?). Tourism has been on the rise since the film's release, and it's a prime example of how you can take a negative and turn it into a positive. So good for you Kazakhstan, for taking Borat's insults and turning them into a marketing opportunity.
Growing up, I was a huge fan of The Simpsons. I would watch it religiously every Sunday night, quote lines at school with my friends, and even had a Bart Simpson backpack. But imagine my surprise when I found out that if I had grown up in Burma, I wouldn't have even known a Simpsons movie existed. Why, you ask?
It wasn't because of the show's humor or content, but because of the colors used in the movie's poster. Apparently, red and yellow in combination are associated with rebel groups in the country. Who knew that colors could hold such political significance? Sorry, Bart, but it looks like you wouldn't be backpack material in Burma.
We've all been there. You're at the movies, trying to decide which flick to watch, and suddenly your kid points excitedly at a poster featuring cartoon food with legs. "Mommy, Daddy, can we see that one?" Yeah, you know the one I'm talking about—Sausage Party. And yep, it's definitely not a kid's movie.
But here's the thing: Sony Pictures Animation can't be held responsible for every parent who blindly brings their little ones to see a movie without checking the rating first. It's not like they can bust into the theater and shout, "Hey, you guys, this is not appropriate for children!" So let's all do our due diligence before we hit the popcorn stand and save ourselves a little embarrassment (and maybe some awkward conversations) down the road.
If you haven't seen Dr. Strangelove, you're missing out. It's a classic satire that pokes fun at the insanity of life during the Cold War. From the "doomsday machine" to Peter Sellers' iconic portrayal of multiple characters, it's a laugh-out-loud movie that stands the test of time.
Unfortunately, not everyone got to enjoy it—the Finns, for example, were banned from screening it. Apparently, they didn't want to upset their Soviet neighbors. It's too bad, really—I can only imagine how hilarious it would be to watch Dr. Strangelove while sipping on a Finnish sahti.
It's not every day that you can say your creative work was banned by one of the most infamous regimes in history. But if your film gets the boot from the Germans in WWII, you must be doing something right. That's exactly what happened to the Laurel and Hardy classic, The Bohemian Girl. The Third Reich took issue with the movie's positive portrayal of gypsies, a community they were actively seeking to wipe out.
Now, we can't say we're surprised that a hilarious and heartwarming flick like this would rile up the authoritarian regime. But let's just say it's a badge of honor for any filmmaker to have their work deemed "offensive" by such a despicable group.
Can you believe that a documentary promoting peace and humanitarianism was banned for not following the "good manners and decorum" of a country at war? Welcome to the world of They Chose Peace, the documentary that got the boot for daring to suggest that maybe war isn't always the answer. Now, I'm no expert on international relations, but something seems off here. Are we really saying that advocating for peace and the safety of human life is less proper than sending soldiers to end each other?
I guess manners truly are relative. But all jokes aside, it's inspiring to see people who choose to prioritize the greater good over nationalistic agendas. Let's hope we can one day live in a world where promoting peaceful solutions is always welcomed with open arms.
If you were a Catholic in the '50s, you were better off skipping out on the cinematic sensation of Miss Sadie Thompson. This racy flick, starring the ever-sultry Rita Hayworth, was too much for the Catholic Film Centre to handle.
Devout viewers were banned from viewing this spicy spectacle, but if only they could see what kind of content is considered "racy" in our modern times. It seems like every movie these days is filled with risqué scenes and gratuitous nudity. If only the Centre could see us now, they might have a heart attack!
Have you ever felt personally attacked by a movie? Well, it turns out Spain did back in 1934. The iconic symbol of Spanish romance and masculinity, Don Juan, was brought to the big screen in The Private Life of Don Juan. But instead of swashbuckling adventures and swooning damsels, the film portrayed him as feeble and pathetic.
Spain was not impressed and promptly banned the film, giving no official reason, although it's pretty easy to infer. It just goes to show that even back then, people took their pop culture icons very seriously.
Have you ever heard of a movie being banned for fear of offending a religious group, even though the story is actually a shared part of both religions? Well, that's exactly what happened with the 1951 adaptation of the biblical tale of David and Bathsheba starring the legendary Gregory Peck.
Surprisingly, the film was banned in Singapore for fear of offending Muslim sensibilities—even though David is a figure within Islam as well. I guess sometimes people just need an excuse to flex their censorship muscles. It's a shame, really, because Peck's performance in the film was exceptional. But if you ever find yourself in Singapore, maybe skip this one on movie night.
Have you ever heard of a country banning ghost stories? Sure, China might come to mind, but have you heard of Yugoslavia during World War II? That's right, they were in on the anti-ghost trend too. Apparently, The Halfway House, a horror movie, was banned because it didn't teach the Yugoslavians "the real things of life."
I mean, I'm all for practical education, but what's life without a little thrill? Maybe they just needed to lighten up a bit and embrace the spookiness. Either way, it's safe to say that Yugoslavia was not playing around when it came to regulating what its citizens could and could not watch.
It's hard to believe a movie could be banned for something as silly as depicting a different city as the birthplace of jazz. But that's exactly what happened to A Song is Born back in 1948. Not only that, but the all-too-familiar ugly head of racism also reared itself, with the movie being banned for showing Black and white people performing together on stage. It's a sad reminder of the prejudices that have plagued our society for far too long.
But let's not dwell on the negative. Instead, let's celebrate the fact that this movie, despite its initial setbacks, eventually found its way back into the spotlight and can now be viewed by audiences of all colors and backgrounds. Because at the end of the day, music knows no race or city boundaries; it's a universal language that we can all enjoy together.
Ryan Reynolds was up to his usual shenanigans in Deadpool, and from the moment the audience met him, it was clear that he had no intentions of playing by the rules. Unfortunately, it seems the Chinese government didn't understand the character of the film quite as well as everyone else did, and they made the decision to ban the movie.
Apparently, they took issue with the level of violence in the film, which is kind of like being surprised that it's hot in the middle of the desert. All we can say is that we're glad the rest of the world was on board with the hilariously irreverent Deadpool, and we'll just have to hope that China will come around eventually.
Who doesn't love the Marx Brothers? Oh, I know, the Irish censors, apparently. Yes, you heard that right. When the Marx Brothers released their film Monkey Business in 1931, the Irish censors were convinced that the classic comedians were actually anarchist terrorists in disguise. I mean, come on now, who in their right mind would believe that?
Despite the fact that Ireland isn't even mentioned in the movie, the country was still worried that the film would promote "anarchic tendencies" and promptly banned it. I think it's safe to say that the Marx Brothers were more interested in making people laugh than in overthrowing governments. But hey, who am I to judge?
