10 Shocking Times America Censored Movies, TV Shows, Books, & More

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re exploring the most notorious incidents when works of entertainment, art, and more were censored or banned within the United States of America.

The Works of William Shakespeare (16th/17th Centuries)

Considered one of the most influential English writers in history, Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have been taught in schools for centuries. For some, his old English poetic style is hard to understand. For others, apparently, it’s filled with smut. With the 2022 introduction of the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, better known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, this allowed the state’s schools to censor the raunchier aspects of the Bard’s works. Instead of whole texts being taught, only extracts would be used. This, understandably, sparked fears among teachers as large portions of context and history would be swept under the literary carpet. Yet this wasn’t the first time Shakespeare’s works were under fire. In 2014, they were banned from Texan prisons.

“The One with the Lesbian Wedding”

“Friends” (1994-2004)

In 1996, the TV landscape changed forever. After ABC aired of an episode of “Roseanne” which showed a same-sex marriage, “Friends” followed suit with the nuptials between Carol and Susan. While history tends to focus on the positives, that wasn’t the full story. The actors Jane Sibbett and Jessica Hecht even stated later that they couldn’t kiss during the ceremony. Yet that wasn’t enough for some, who wanted the mere thought of women marrying erased. Two TV stations, KJAC-TV in Port Arthur, Texas, and WLIO in Lima, Ohio, weren’t happy. They claimed the episode didn’t meet the “standards of good taste” in their communities. So they refused to air it. This action was condemned by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

“If U Seek Amy” (2009)

Britney Spears

Puns may sometimes be met with groans, but they’ve been used for centuries, including by William Shakespeare. Yet when Spears did one for her 2009 single “If U Seek Amy,” some moms and parents groups were livid. The controversy stems from the title and lyrics, which, if spoken slowly, bear a resemblance to a phrase about adult intimacy. Radio stations in the US began editing the song by bleeping the expression and even changing its title to “If U See Amy.” The Parents Television Council threatened stations with indecency complaints for playing the track during the day. As such, Spears created a radio edit of the tune. However, during her tours, the original, risqué version would return.

“Super Mario Kart” (1992)

Sometimes, it's not governments or activist groups causing censorship of material. Sometimes, it’s another branch of the same company doing it. In the Japanese release of 1992’s “Super Mario Kart,” Bowser and Peach celebrated winning races by drinking from champagne bottles, while Donkey Kong Jr. recklessly threw his around. When it was released in the US, Nintendo of America changed it to make the characters not drink or be as dangerous with the bottles. At the time, the company had heavy rules in place to avoid issues during localization. Another classic video game censoring was 1985’s “Ice Climber.” In Japan, the characters would beat up seals. However, due to the controversial practice of seal clubbing, in the US, they were changed to the Topi.

“Maus” (1991)

Art Spiegelman

First published in “Raw” magazine from 1980 to 1991, the last year saw “Maus” released as a collection. It took the literary world by storm as Spiegelman’s work became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize. The plot involves Spiegelman talking to his father about his experience in Germany during World War II, with Jews shown as mice and German soldiers as cats. In 2022, the McMinn County School Board in Tennessee voted to remove the book from its libraries, citing use of “rough” language and nudity as the reason. If the members wanted “Maus” to be forgotten, they caused the opposite. Alongside activist groups handing out copies, purchases of “Maus” sent it to number one on Amazon's books and graphic novels charts.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” (1985)

Margaret Atwood

As one of the most important modern writers around, Atwood’s work often warns readers about societal changes on the horizon. However, others seemingly don’t want you to hear her warning. Atwood’s 1985 novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” has been one of the most challenged books in the US. Often citing its explicit and emotional content, the work has been banned from schools in Florida, Missouri, and several other states - prompting Atwood to dramatically release an unburnable version in 2022. This isn’t the only book by the Canadian author to draw ire in the States. “Oryx and Crake” has also been prohibited in school libraries, including in Virginia and Texas, for its “sensitive material.”

“Ecstasy” (1933) & The Hays Code

Made in Czechoslovakia, the erotic drama “Ecstasy” involves the main character leaving her uninterested husband and finding a new, younger lover. It also featured some brief nudity. The US distributor tried to get into the country in 1935, only for it to be blocked by the Customs Service. It didn’t help that the Catholic Legion of Decency condemned it. The distributor then lobbied the Hays Code staff for 10 months to let it be shown. Eventually, it was allowed with heavy edits in 1936. The Hays Code, also known as the Motion Picture Production Code, was the moral censor of the film industry. The policy came into effect on films released on or after July 1, 1934, and lasted for nearly thirty years.

Betty Boop (1930s)

After her debut in 1930, Betty became one of the most beloved cartoon characters in history. With her large head, sultry attitude and Jazz Age flappers' attire, she was soon starring in many animated shorts from the Fleischer Studios. Yet upon the introduction of the Hays Code, everything changed. In the mid-1930s, Betty underwent a metamorphosis. Gone were the flapper dresses and scandalous clothing. Instead, Betty appeared as more of a homebody, often mothering children while wearing longer, less form-fitting clothing. Even her winking and shaking hips were too much for the Code, forcing her emotes’ removal. This saw a decline in Betty’s popularity as other cartoon characters, who hadn’t had a drastic change, took off.

“Slaughterhouse-Five” (1969)

Kurt Vonnegut

With Vonnegut having been an imprisoned soldier during World War II, he used his experience to write “Slaughterhouse-Five,” which explored the war and PTSD with a dash of science fiction. However, this important book wasn’t safe from the US censors. In 1973, after a teacher wanted to read the book to their students, the principal literally shoved copies of it into the school’s lit furnace! Even in more recent years, “Slaughterhouse-Five” has been banned in schools in Tennessee and Texas. Another work whose censors didn’t understand the irony of restricting it was George Orwell’s “1984.” The novel, which explores totalitarianism, was one of many prohibited in Iowa schools in 2023. However, in 2025, the ban was blocked by a judge for being unconstitutional.

Removing Mentions of Slavery from the Smithsonian (2025)

The Smithsonian Institution is one of the most respected educational and research facilities in the US. As such, you really need them not to shy away from being honest about the country’s history, no matter how deplorable. In 2025, Donald Trump wanted to change that. The President issued an executive order that allowed his administration to look at the Smithsonian's exhibitions to review how it has displayed slavery, which was too “woke” for them for showing “how bad slavery was.” This brings to mind another instance of government interference at Idaho’s Lewis-Clark State College in 2023. With the school hosting an event on medical care, administrators removed art that showcased reproductive rights, citing the state legislature's opposition to public funds being used towards terminations.

Is censorship always bad when it comes to media, art, and entertainment or are there justified uses? Let us know below.