50 Most Controversial Movie Posters Of All Time

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By published

The one-sheets that caused outrage

Ali G Indahouse (2002)

Creep (2004)

The Poster: Christopher Smith's horror about grisly goings-on in the London Underground chose the obvious image: a bloody hand trying to escape a Tube train.

The Controversy: Inevitably, Transport For London didn't want the poster shown on the Underground, despite the fact they'd helped Smith's crew during filming.

The Pope Must Diet (1991)

The Poster: An odd one, this. After a change of title (it was originally The Pope Must Die ) the new image takes out the murderous context by showing angels zapping Robbie Coltrane's Pope with, presumably, anti-obesity lightning.

The Controversy: Basically, Catholics objected to the original title, necessitating a hasty (and nonsensical) rethink.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

The Poster: A standard-issue sweetness & light Disney pose... except doesn't the turret of the palace does suspiciously like a cock?

The Controversy: An urban legend quickly sprung up that the phallic tower was the work of a disgruntled artist. However, research by Snopes suggests it an accident.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

The Poster: Alex (Malcolm McDowell) shows his appreciation for the ladies by sharing poster space with a naked Korova Bar statue.

The Controversy: The image was deemed too racy for American audiences, and the statue was given a bra and panties. Later versions of the artwork removed the woman entirely.

Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

The Poster: Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti take their gun war to the streets in a series of posters full of flashing firearms.

The Controversy: The ASA upheld 55 complaints that the posters glamourised gun usage, although they passed one in which Owen merely held a weapon by his side.

The People Vs Larry Flynt (1996)

The Poster: A typical image of porn baron Flynt's (Woody Harrelson) convention-defying lack of restraint: striking a Jesus pose, dressed in a Stars & Stripes nappy, in front of a thong-wearing hardbody.

The Controversy: The MPAA vetoed the ad outright. According to director Milos Forman, he was told that taking a bullet on the poster would allow the MPAA to "protect more important freedoms."

Hostel: Part 2 (2007)

The Poster: The initial teaser shows a close-up of boar's meat, an image chosen by Lionsgate's marketing guru Tim Palen to stand out from other movie posters.

The Controversy: The MPAA only approved the poster when Palen proved the meat wasn't human, which he did by handing over a receipt from a butcher's shop.

Sket (2011)

The Poster: A gang of hooded youths batter David Cameron with bats: "So Mr Cameron, do you still want to hug a hoodie?"

The Controversy: Transport For London banned its use on the Underground for fear of inciting violence, only months after the London riots.

The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)

The Poster: A kidnapped victim in a sack is dragged across the desert, one hand trying desperately to grip onto the sand to stop it happening.

The Controversy: The hand. We know this, because when the poster was resubmitted to the MPAA with a reverse angle (now it's feet dangling out of the sack), there wasn't a problem.