10 Horror Films So Scary They Were Banned From Cinemas Around The World

If you fancy yourself as a horror film fan, nothing should scare you. However, certain films from the genre are so extreme that countries have outright banned them. Here’s a list of those horror films that wear the badge of honour for being far too gory or shocking.

Banned for 5 years in France after its release, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre boasts a bad reputation because of its scenes of torture and gore. What many failed to realise is the film was a commentary highlighting life post Vietnam War.

I Spit on Your Grave is the shocking story of a woman who seeks revenge on the on her rapists. While its original ban following its 1978 release no longer exists in some countries, it remains banned in Ireland.

Remake of the 1980 film with the same name, Maniac is shot in first person so give the viewer the POV of the psychopathic killer himself. In New Zealand, the film has been banned since its release.

Rejected from Spanish theatres after its 18 rating, Saw VI is actually completely banned in Thailand and Ukraine where even sale of the film is outlawed.

The Return of the Living Dead from 1985 is the only film in the franchise not available for sale in Germany. However, the other films in the series can be bought with no problem.

Hostel by Eli Roth tells the story of a group of friends who travel to Slovakia to in hopes of meeting women. Filled with torture and sadism, this incredibly gruesome film is banned in Ukraine.

The rape of a newborn baby, as well as a decapitated woman... A Serbian Film was seemingly created with the intention of causing outrage. The film is banned in countries like Brazil, New Zealand, and Norway.

Banned from theatres for its violence, showing the film Saw 3D in public is illegal in Germany.

Cannibal Holocaust from Ruggero Deodato is a disturbing film that mixes the torture of people (fiction) with the massacre of animals (reality). Allowed in certain countries, others like New Zealand, Finland, and Iceland have outright banned it.

October 23, 2018 at 6:00 PM • Stacey Williams