Top 10 Controversial Animated Films

#10: "Batman: The Killing Joke" (2016)

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One might think that an R-rated animated adaptation of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's graphic novel would be well received by fans of Gotham's Caped Crusader. Unfortunately, the end results of this 2016 effort were met with a large amount of controversy, thanks to a half-hour prologue that many fans felt ruined the film. Here, Barbara Gordon's Batgirl is written into a sexual relationship with Batman, which was never a part of the original source material. This, combined with an overall feeling that Batgirl was nothing less than an overly sexualized plot device, left fans cold for what could've otherwise been a great DC animated movie.

#9: "Dumbo" (1941)

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Time has a way of putting things in perspective, and many generations view older films through a completely unique set of eyes. "Dumbo" is a classic slice of Disney nostalgia that is regarded today as one of the company's most lovable properties. Still, there was a time when that cute little elephant caused some controversy, specifically with one memorable scene. Some parents thought that the scene where Dumbo and Timothy Mouse accidentally get drunk and see hallucinatory pink elephants was promoting youth substance abuse. Other critics in the years since Dumbo's release have challenged that the film's crow characters represent African American stereotypes, proving that not everyone sees a movie in the exact same light.

#8: "Pocahontas" (1995)

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The points of contention behind the next film on our list aren't so much based around its creative merit, but rather how it decided to rewrite history. Disney's "Pocahontas" took some serious liberties with its source material; liberties that some critics claimed defeated the purpose of making a historically based feature. The real life Pocahontas wasn't much older than ten when she met John Smith in 1607, and there was no love story. Instead, a teenage Pocahontas was kidnapped years later by a different set of colonists, where she converted to Christianity, changed her name to Rebecca, and married a man named John Rolfe. Romantic, huh?

#7: "Wizards"(1977)

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Ralph Bakshi is an animation legend, writing and directing a number of stone cold classics for the medium. His films were always unique, complex and controversial, with this 1977 gem serving as no exception. "Wizards" might be one of Bakshi's most critically appreciated films, despite the fact that the picture doesn't shy away from showcasing violence, bloodshed and nudity within its content. "Wizards" also utilized Nazi imagery to drive home its themes of war, suffering and the dangers of propaganda. All this makes it an animated film that’s both beautiful and difficult to watch.

"Sausage Party" wasn't the first R rated animated film, but it’s considered by many to be the first of the CG animated age to receive such a distinction. It was also the subject of controversy on a number of fronts, including behind the scenes reports that animators were forced to work overtime without pay. Sources also claimed that these animators faced blacklisting, should they not comply with demands put upon them by co-director Greg Tiernan. 36 of these employees went on to be un-credited on the film's final cut. Additionally, "Sausage Party" faced pushback from audiences and critics due to its sexual content, particularly in France, where it was unbelievably released with a 12 rating, meaning kids can watch it legally.

Ralph Bakshi makes another appearance on our list - spoiler alert: it won't be the last - this time with a 1975 film that’s clearly one of his most controversial since it’s on here. Bakshi often dealt with the politics of race and violence in his films, and "Coonskin" touches upon both of these and more as it mixes animation and live action to tell a gritty tale of organized crime. Bakshi's film was accused of being racist, and it was protested by a number of high profile African-American civil rights groups. "Coonskin" has since been reappraised by many for its powerful social satire, yet there's no denying that Bakshi's film pushes every button it can, at every turn.

"South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are no strangers to controversy. Indeed, the pair seems to relish fighting censorship as often as possible, and it was a reaction to censorship that eventually led to the next film on our list. "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" was the feature length film debut for the Comedy Central's hit series, a musical masterpiece that nevertheless fought heavy criticism every step of the way. Parker and Stone nearly had to deal with an NC-17 rating for their film until a last minute R was finally given by the MPAA. The pair would have the last laugh, however, as the "South Park" movie would be a hit.

It's not entirely alien for an animated feature to possess frightening and intense imagery - material that may prove too intense for young children. "Watership Down" was something else entirely, however: an animated classic that nevertheless scarred the childhoods of many after its release in 1978. This animated take on Richard Adams' celebrated novel earned controversy from some parents and critics, due to its scenes of realistic terror and violence. The film, which follows a group of rabbits in search of a new home, was rated an equivalent of G in its native England, but even the country's BBFC admitted in 2012 that perhaps "Watership Down" deserved something a bit stronger as a result of subsequent complaints.

#2: "Song of the South" (1946)

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If you're a Disney fan, then you've probably heard of this infamous film from their vault. "Song of the South" was released in 1946 as a mixture of live-action and animation, and recounts a set of African American folk tales known as the "Uncle Remus" stories. The film's source material takes place after the American Civil War, but this is never explicitly mentioned within the final narrative, leading many to criticize "Song of the South" as diminishing or glorifying slavery. A complete version of the film has yet to be released on home video in the U.S., although "Song of the South" enjoys uncut VHS and Laserdisc releases in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions! "The Simpsons Movie" (2007) "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America" (1996)

We’ve mentioned the legacy of Ralph Bakshi more than once already, but this is the film that first raised eyebrows and made him a household name for adult animation. "Fritz the Cat" was based on a comic strip by Robert Crumb and introduced Bakshi's fearless and brazen style to the masses. The title character may seem cute and cuddly, but the film was actually rated X for its frank and often raunchy dealings with sex, politics, and philosophy. This didn't stop audiences from flocking to "Fritz," however, with the final worldwide box office totaling about $90 million against an $850,000 budget. To paraphrase the original poster, it wasn't “rated X for nothin’, baby!"