Popular culture is always shifting, with values following in tow. Nowhere is this more apparent than in movies. Many movies considered classic upon release now are seen in an unfavorable, if not aghast light, due to depictions of violence, racism, and misogyny.
In many ways, culture has made such recent drastic shifts that even certain movies made in the ’90s seem unconscionable today. Let’s explore 20 movies that are considered too offensive to be released now.
To compile a list of the movies that are too offensive to be released now, 24/7 consulted a range of entertainment, film, and lifestyle sources. Next, we selected films from a range of eras and genres. After that, we consulted IMDB for specific plot information. (For specific characters that are intolerable, discover 10 of the most despicable movie characters in movie history.)
“Blazing Saddles” (1974)
One of the movies too offensive to be released now is Mel Brook’s “Blazing Saddles.” Centering around the first black sheriff in a small western town, the film pulls no punches when it comes to offensive humor. With sexual innuendos, vulgar language, torrents of racial jokes, and even straight-up racial epithets said by white characters, there’s no way any modern audience could stomach this movie without coming away insulted.
“Léon: the Professional” (1994)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is “Léon the Professional.” After her family is murdered, Mathilda takes up with an assassin who lives down the hall. Though in some ways sweet, the relationship between 12-year-old actress Natalie Portman and the assassin (Jean Reno) more than borders on problematic. Even Natalie Portman said the movie hurt her at such a young age.
“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” After the live mascot is stolen from the Miami Dolphins stadium, zany pet detective Ace jumps on the case. Where this leads him, however, is too an unstable former football player who disguises herself as a woman. Besides vulgar humor, the climax of the movie involves serious, downright mean insults and harassment levied against transgender people.
“National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978)
Even when it first saw release, the classic fratboy movie “Animal House” caused division. A sendup of Greek life at college, the movie features a torrent of inappropriate jokes, situations, and a hefty dose of offensive racial jokes. What’s more, there is a scene where the character Pinto consults the angel and devil on his shoulders about whether to commit date rape. A movie like this would never see the contemporary light of day.
“Gone with the Wind” (1939)
Where to even begin with “Gone with the Wind.” A classic movie, it traces the life of southern belle Scarlett O’Hara through the Civil War and the later reconstruction of the South. Beyond that, however, it features horrible racial stereotypes and a glorification of the slave-owning Southern Gentry. It’s so offensive that HBO Max put a disclaimer before the movie apologizing for its eye-opening content and portrayal of the Antebellum South.
“A Clockwork Orange” (1971)
One of Stanley Kubrick’s first movies, “A Clockwork Orange” depicts a future in England with a despotic government and a society terrorized by roving youth gangs. The movie has wanton, senseless violence, and a graphic rape scene set to Beethoven. It’s stark, unflinching, and utterly offensive. Even upon initial release, the movie was banned in England for its almost pornographic depictions of violence and hate. (For other films with heavy blood-lust, discover the most violent movies of all time.)
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Though considered a classic, the movie features Mickey Rourke in yellowface as the protagonist’s neighbor. Not only does a white man play an Asian man, he does so with incredibly racist affections and mannerisms. It’s so flagrant that Rourke later apologized for his unconscionable impersonation of what amounts to a racist cartoon.
“Last Tango in Paris” (1972)
Even upon initial release, the Marlon Brando vehicle “Last Tango in Paris” drew controversy. Centered around an American expatriate who moves to Paris and meets a woman, the film features blatant misogyny, graphic depictions of sex, and an even more graphic rape scene. Even worse, the rape scene was not featured in the script. Instead, it was allegedly improvised by Brando and the director. Furthermore, 19-year-old actress Maria Schneider said the experience left her feeling humiliated.
“Airplane!” (1980)
Where to even begin with the bawdy satire “Airplane.” Featuring less of a plot than a pastiche of various racial and misogynist stereotypes together on an out-of-control airplane, the movie is like a shooting gallery of offensive material. Be it white nuns speaking jive or the adult male captain sexually propositioning a young boy, “Airplane” is surely one of the movies too offensive to be released now.
“Manhattan” (1979)
As the saying goes, people will tell you who they are. This is the case with Woody Allen’s romantic dramedy “Manhattan.” Already looked upon as unseemly in his public life for marrying his stepdaughter, Woody Allen only furthers his questionability with the film’s depiction of his 42-year-old character falling in love with a 17-year-old girl. The debate about separating the art from the artist falls flat when it comes to a film like “Manhattan.”
“Sixteen Candles” (1984)
Though many consider “Sixteen Candles” to be a classic of teenage cinema, many aspects of it make it far too offensive to be released now. At the time, the film was seen as another feel-good John Hughes coming-of-age story. Nowadays, however, the plotline involving date rape, the sexual innuendos involving teenagers, and the racial humor seem more than dated.
“Trading Places” (1983)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is John Landis’ screwball comedy “Trading Places.” It centers on two evil titans of industry making a bet using innocent people’s lives, attempting to switch their fortunes. Besides the callous exposition, there are plenty of racial and homophobic epithets. Worse, however, is Dan Ackroyd’s donning of blackface in the latter half of the movie.
“The King and I” (1956)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is the film adaptation of the classic musical “The King and I.” For one, it portrays ancient Eastern culture as backward and misogynistic. Then, it doubles down and turns the white female protagonist into a white savior. The film suggests, quite offensively, that this exotic culture can only be tamed and civilized by the influence of a white visitor.
“Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” (1975)
There’s not much to be said positively about “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom.” Based on the shocking novel by the Marquis De Sade, the film gives a visual representation of one of the most reprehensible narratives ever written. The entire point of the movie is cruelty, sexual torture, unrepentant violence, and callousness. Regardless of when this movie was released, it’s offensive by design, if not vomit-inducing.
“The Searchers” (1956)
Another one of the movies far too offensive to be released now is John Ford’s “The Searchers.” Ostensibly about a white cowboy saving a white girl who’s been kidnapped by Native Americans, in actuality, the film seems to exist as a vehicle for racism against natives. Throughout the film, John Wayne utters unspeakable cruelties against the Natives. Plus, overall, the film has a strange obsession with racial purity. It’s a film that would never see the light of day in the 21st century.
“Porky’s” (1981)
Though it was a smash hit upon release, gross-out teen comedy “Porky’s” is one of the movies too offensive to be released now. From the outset, the viewer is barraged with racial jokes, fat shaming, and plain vulgarity. The entire point of the movie is a gang of teenage boys doing whatever they can to get lucky. Coupled with the downright rapey hole-in-the-lockerroom-wall scene, it’s a movie that would cause outrage if it came out today.
“Soul Man” (1986)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is “Soul Man.” It centers around a rich white Harvard Law Student who takes tanning pills to win a scholarship reserved for black students. Though it attempts to satirize racial hate, the film is simply too garish and shocking in its portrayal to do anything but offend modern audiences.
“Tootsie” (1982)
In many ways, “Tootsie” is like the aforementioned “Soul Man” in its attempt to satirize social issues. The film portrays an unsuccessful straight male actor who dresses up as a woman to get the acting parts he thinks he deserves. Though it attempts social commentary, it falls far short. Instead, it comes across as a misogynist and transphobic portrayal of the tired man-in-drag movie trope.
“The Toy” (1982)
Famed comedian Richard Pryor made a career out of pushing the envelope. “The Toy,” however, is where he takes it too far. While it fashions itself as a heartwarming kids movie, the film centers on a rich white man literally buying Richard Pryor’s character as a toy for his young son. That alone would steer away most modern moviegoers.
“Juwanna Mann” (2002)
395570 62: Actress Vivica A. Fox (as Michelle) acts in a scene in Juwanna Mann. (Photo by Kent Eanes/Morgan Creek Pictures via Getty Images)
Another one of the movies too offensive to be released now is “Juwanna Mann.” The plot concerns a professional basketball player who, after being suspended, disguises himself as a woman to play on a WNBA team. Besides being a bad movie, there isn’t a single part of it that isn’t offensive. Taking shots at women, women’s basketball, and even the transgender community, “Juwanna Man” has everything that people these days hate. (For other movies that push the edge of what’s acceptable, here is a list of the best R-rated movies that were almost rated NC-17.)