Top 20 Most Controversial Movie Scenes of All Time

#20: The Bathtub

“Birth” (2004)

Nicole Kidman stars in this psychological drama as a woman being pursued by a young boy claiming to be the reincarnation of her late husband. The relationship builds to an uncomfortably intimate moment where Kidman’s character and the young boy bathe together. In reality, Kidman and actor Cameron Bright were only on set together for one shot of the bathtub scene. Bright wasn’t completely undressed, while Kidman wore special clothing to create the illusion of nudity. Kidman and Bright filmed the rest of the bathtub scene separately. Without this background information, though, audiences were inclined to question the ethics of this scene. This seemed to overshadow Kidman’s performance and the story’s deeper themes, which would earn the film praise years later.

#19: Russian Roulette

“The Deer Hunter” (1978)

Although “The Deer Hunter” won the Oscar for Best Picture, it was also among 1978’s most controversial films. Its depiction of Russian roulette was a source of much debate. The filmmakers strived for authenticity to the point that Robert De Niro suggested that live ammo be used during a Russian roulette sequence. This request was met, although the revolver was meticulously checked between takes. While the risk on screen was real, numerous critics argued that the scene wasn’t true to the experiences that POWs endured during the Vietnam War. This included Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Peter Arnett, who wrote, “In its 20 years of war, there was not a single recorded case of Russian roulette,” adding that the metaphor was “a bloody lie.”

#18: Real Birds, Real Terror

“The Birds” (1963)

With this 1963 film, Alfred Hitchcock proved that he could even make birds scary. Nobody was more afraid than Hitch’s leading lady, Tippi Hedren. Two particular scenes traumatized her. First, there was the phone booth sequence, in which one of the mechanical birds allegedly broke through the glass, cutting Hendren. Then there was the climax in the attic, where the mechanical birds were replaced with real ones, which Hendren wasn’t prepared for. Hedren reportedly spent five days working with live birds, one nearly pecking her eye. According to Hendred, this was Hitch’s way of punishing her after she rejected his sexual advances. While this scene wasn’t especially controversial at first, Hendred’s allegations have reframed it in a far more infamous light.

#17: The Tree

“The Evil Dead” (1981)

For better or worse, Sam Raimi’s feature debut is best remembered for a scene where a possessed tree sexually assaults Ellen Sandweiss’ Cheryl. Some viewers were scared, others questioned if it was supposed to be darkly comedic, and many found it offensive. The scene contributed to the film reportedly being pulled in multiple countries. One audience member wrote in 1983 that the film “reflects [a] woman-hating society,” alluding to its portrayal of assault. Even Raimi expressed regret about the scene years later, saying, “It was unnecessarily gratuitous and a little too brutal.” Nevertheless, the tree resurfaced in Fede Álvarez’s 2013 “Evil Dead” movie. Although it may be in poor taste, the scene is so ingrained in “The Evil Dead’s” legacy that it can’t be removed.

#16: Dog Feces

“Pink Flamingos” (1972)

“Pink Flamingos” might be John Waters’ masterpiece, putting him on the map as a shameless proprietor of what some might describe as filth. Proudly earning an NC-17 rating, the film as a whole was controversial, but the ending left an especially bad taste in viewers’ mouths. As a chorus sings “(How Much is) That Doggie in the Window,” Divine waits for a small canine to do its business. Divine proceeds to scoop up the dog’s excrement, snacking on it. According to Waters, this was “the real thing.” Water described the scene as a “publicity stunt,” believing it “would frighten hippies.” Divine was on board with doing the stunt, wanting to cause trouble. Yet, Divine was apprehensive about his mother watching the film.

#15: The Assault

“The Accused” (1988)

Jodie Foster won an Oscar for her performance as Sarah Tobias in this legal drama. Sarah was based on Cheryl Araujo, who multiple men sexually assaulted in a bar. “The Accused” is uncompromising in its portrayal of assault, leaving no room for ambiguity. Although the scene was carefully rehearsed before the cameras rolled, the five-day shoot was gruelling for everyone, especially Foster, who blacked out. It wasn’t much easier for the audience to watch. According to producer Sherry Lansing, the test screenings garnered “the lowest scores in the history of Paramount.” This almost gave Paramount an excuse not to release the picture, although the studio reconsidered after another screening with an all-female audience went better. The scene was brutal, yet honest.

#14: Tormented Turtle

“Cannibal Holocaust” (1980)

Mixing exploitation cinema with what would come to be known as the found footage genre, “Cannibal Holocaust” was revolutionary in many respects. It was also widely condemned and banned in multiple countries, even leading to several creative figures receiving obscenity and violence convictions. While more than a few scenes meet this list’s criteria, the ones involving animal cruelty have ignited the most outrage. The torment extended to a squirrel monkey, pig, boa constrictor, tarantula, and South American coati. Of all the real animals that were killed on screen, the dismembering of an Arrau turtle was perhaps the most appalling. While the Arrau turtle isn’t considered an endangered species, some would argue it’s getting dangerously close, making this scene even harder to watch years later.

#13: Squeal Like a Pig

“Deliverance” (1972)

Sexual violence against women has been depicted in countless movies. 1972’s “Deliverance” is still something of a rarity, featuring a graphic scene where Ned Beatty’s Bobby is sexually assaulted at the hands of another man. According to director John Boorman, the studio got “cold feet” about making “Deliverance,” the “squeal like a pig” scene being a sticking point. While its budget was reduced, Boorman brought his film to fruition, this infamous scene included. Upon release in Salt Lake City, it was reported that three men and a woman fainted during the assault scene. Some argued that the film should’ve been rated X rather than R. That didn’t stop “Deliverance” from receiving three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

#12: The Leg Cross

“Basic Instinct” (1992)

“Basic Instinct” caused an uproar among the ratings board and LGBTQIA+ groups, but Sharon Stone was at the center of its most talked-about controversy. Stone’s revealing interrogation defined the film and her career. She didn’t see this coming, claiming that Paul Verhoeven tricked her into crossing her legs without underwear. According to Stone, she was told that the scene would only suggest nudity without actually showing anything. She found at a test screening that this wasn’t the case, slapping Verhoeven over the close-up. The interrogation scene arguably isn’t even the most graphic one in this erotic thriller. Given the lack of consent on Stone’s part, though, it’s the one that sparked the most backlash. When Stone crossed her legs, a line was crossed as well.

#11: Butter

“Last Tango in Paris” (1972)

Simulating sexual violence is always going to be triggering for some, but “Last Tango in Paris” arguably went too far. In this erotic drama’s most notorious scene, Marlon Brando’s Paul assaults and Maria Schneider’s Jeanne using a stick of butter. Although the attack was staged, the usage of butter was unscripted. Schneider reflected, “Even though what Marlon was doing wasn’t real, I was crying real tears.” The actress thought Brando and director Bernardo Bertolucci had violated her. Despite this, Schneider maintained a friendly relationship with Brando, but not with the film’s director. Schneider and Brando both felt Bertolucci had manipulated them on set. For Schneider, in particular, the film would have a traumatic effect on her career and personal life.

#10: The Assassination

“The Interview” (2014)

Those who remember this 2014 comedy probably focus on the fact that it almost started an international incident. North Korea was offended by the film’s premise, which culminates with Kim Jong-un’s demise. Not only does the nation’s leader die at the end. He meets his destruction in excruciating detail as a tank projectile hits his helicopter. This led to serious threats from the country. Hackers linked to North Korea cyberattacked Sony, in what became an unprecedented disclosure of information. Theater chains initially backed out of showing the film as controversy shrouded its release. Eventually, the movie reached audiences despite foreign objections about its assassination plot.

#9: Early Lovemaking

“Ecstasy” (1933)

Actress Hedy Lamarr started her career in Europe, where she received a starring role in the groundbreaking drama “Ecstasy.” The Czech movie features one of the earliest instances of sex in a mainstream feature film. More specifically, Lamarr takes part in a love scene that shows her face during a… climax. The entire moment is remarkably tame by today’s standards. This didn’t stop censors of the time period from banning the movie, which also includes the performer swimming in the nude. The Hollywood censors at the Hays Office rejected the piece and several US states prevented screenings.

#8: Movie Theater Fire

“Inglourious Basterds” (2009)

Quentin Tarantino’s WWII film has plenty of his trademark violence and snappy dialog, but the most prominent part is the dramatic ending. Taking place at a movie theater, the finale corrals Nazi leaders into a premiere event and takes them out. The owner Shosanna lights the place on fire, while the titular commandos tear into the baddies with machine guns. Hitler's death receives particular attention during this sequence. The filmmaker's revisionism received both cheers and boos from critics, with some feeling it was disrespectful to play around with history. Others felt that Tarantino was turning Jewish characters into morally questionable humans. He doubled down on this idea in future projects such as “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” taking other fictionalized looks at the past.

#7: Ending

“Kids” (1995)

Larry Clark directed Harmony Korine's gritty account of teens in New York City entitled "Kids." It quickly generated controversy for its frank look at sex, garnering controversy upon release. The end features the movie's most graphic scene, which exposes an attacker to HIV. Clark's direction feels too real at times, playing out the moment with a disturbing authenticity. Some objected to the film's release. It was rated NC-17 and required some maneuvering to even be exhibited to the public, forcing Miramax producers to purchase the rights from Disney in order to release it in its unaltered state.

#6: Water Buffalo

“Apocalypse Now” (1979)

Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam epic is known as much for its thrilling storytelling as it is for its troubled production. For the climactic sequence between Kurtz and Willard, the director chooses to juxtapose the action with the ritual sacrifice of a water buffalo. Coppola merely filmed the ceremony and included it in the final product. Considering that it was shot in the Philippines, the film was able to circumvent American laws about animal cruelty. The scene itself features members of a tribe using a machete in a bloody moment. This led to organizations such as the American Humane Association denouncing the movie for filming the slaughter.

#5: Shower

“Psycho” (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic stars Janet Leigh as a woman on the run. She pulls into the Bates Motel, where she takes one final shower before being attacked. The iconic scene features a slew of quick cuts that avoid any excessive brutality of the moment. Hitchcock’s direction scared numerous viewers and his lead actress, with Leigh saying that she switched to baths for the remainder of her life. This doesn’t even include an uproar over the misconception that there’s nudity. Other controversial elements include the flushing of a toilet in an earlier shot. Despite significant worries from censors, the sequence ended up being released as originally intended.

#4: Extended Attack

“Irréversible” (2002)

Argentine director Gaspar Noé attracts controversy with almost every film. His tense and experimental drama “Irréversible” is no different, featuring a harrowing assault as its most consequential scene. Monica Bellucci’s character runs into her attacker in a sequence that’s over ten minutes long. The remainder of the movie features fast-paced and chaotic moments leading up to and directly following the horrible crime. Some consider the project impossible to engage with due to its explicit content, almost forcing the viewer to look away during its controversial centerpiece. It reportedly prompted walkouts during its initial release at the Cannes Film Festival.

#3: The Temptation

“The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988)

Rather than following more traditional tales about Jesus Christ, “The Last Temptation of Christ” delves into a more controversial viewpoint of the sacred story courtesy of Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel. The main crux of the film’s notoriety stems from its climax, whereby Christ is tempted off of the cross to live a normal life as a married man. Protests surrounded the movie’s release as some religious leaders called this blasphemous. One radical group set fire to a Paris theater for screening the film, while boycotts were organized in the US. Martin Scorsese’s project also received bans that unfairly marked it as an infamous release in the late 1980s.

#2: Singin’ in the Rain

“A Clockwork Orange” (1971)

Among the most controversial films of the 1970s, Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ novel features copious amounts of violence. Alex DeLarge and his droogs bring anarchy and violence wherever they go. This includes a disturbing scene where the gang leader provides a haunting soundtrack. With the use of “Singin’ in the Rain,” the main character’s psychopathic tendencies are on full display. It’s one of the sequences that inspired calls for censorship. In a tragic case of copycat crimes, several incidents were allegedly influenced by the onscreen acts. Kubrick was later inspired to take the film out of British theaters due to its perceived connection to various violent activities.

#1: Crucifixion

“The Exorcist” (1973)

Among the most lauded horror films ever made, “The Exorcist” still shocks people to this day. The production overcame serious setbacks and alleged curses to create a groundbreaking scary movie. In a project full of terrifying turns, there are few images as indelible as the possessed Regan stabbing herself with a crucifix. Her demonic voice and movements only make the sequence more haunting. It’s one of the elements that provoked wild audience reactions in 1973, including apparent medical emergencies at the sight of the plot’s darkest moments. It also involved Ellen Burstyn receiving a serious back injury after being knocked back by her onscreen daughter. Through it all, this proves to be one of the more unexpectedly dangerous and controversial scenes of its kind.

Can you think of any other controversial movie scenes? Let us know in the comments.