The 20 Most Shocking Films Ever Made

Shocking films are not the same as horror films. While a horror film can be shocking, not all shocking films are scary. Many films of the sensational variety fall under several genres including comedy, drama, and even documentary. The key ingredient to all of the films on the list below is that they are, by far, the most provocative pieces I have ever had the privilege to view.

Be forewarned most of the movies on this list are not pleasant. The majority of them are not meant to be. If you have seen any of the movies on this list, let us know what you thought. Is there a title that should be on here?

AGE RESTRICTION WARNING: The content below features graphic depictions that are not appropriate for those under the age of 18. If you are not 18 years of age or older, please click here now.

A Serbian Film (Uncut)
RATING:	NC-17 (for extreme aberrant sexual and violent content including explicit dialogue.)	A Serbian Film (Srpski Film) - Official Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 43min.
Directed By:	Srdjan Spasojevic
Written By:	Srdjan Spasojevic, Aleksandar Radivojevic

Cannibal Holocaust
RATING:	NC-17 (for disturbing violent and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language)	Cannibal Holocaust (1980) - Theatrical Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By:	Ruggero Deodato
Written By:	Gianfranco Clerici

The Exorcist
RATING:	R (for strong language and disturbing images)	THE EXORCIST - Trailer - (1973) - HQ
Runtime:	2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By:	William Friedkin
Written By:	William Peter Blatty

Sweet Movie
RATING:	UNRATED	Sweet Movie Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By:	Dusan Makavejev
Written By:	Dusan Makavejev

Saló or 120 Days of Sodom
RATING:	NC-17
Runtime:	1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By:	Pier Paolo Pasolini
Written By:	Sergio Citti

Antichrist
RATING:	Unrated
Runtime:	1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By:	Lars von Trier
Written By:	Anders Thomas Jensen, Lars von Trier

Martyrs
RATING:	R (for disturbing/severe aberrant behavior involving strong bloody violence, toture, child abuse and some nudity)	Martyrs (Trailer) in DVD e Blu-Ray su thrauma.it
Runtime:	1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By:	Pascal Laugier
Written By:	Pascal Laugier

Aftermath
RATING:	Unrated	Aftermath 1994 Trailer
Runtime:	30 min.
Directed By:	Nacho Cerdà
Written By:	Nacho Cerdà

Irréversible
RATING:	Unrated
Runtime:	1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By:	Gaspar Noe
Written By:	Gaspar Noe

Happiness
RATING:	Unrated (for explicit dialogue and some visuals relating to aberrant sexual behavior)	Happiness - Trailer
Runtime:	2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By:	Todd Solondz
Written By:	Todd Solondz

Men Behind the Sun
RATING:	Unrated	黑太陽731 Men Behind The Sun (1988) Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By:	Tun Fei Mou
Written By:	Tun Fei Mou

In a Glass Cage
RATING:	Unrated	IN A GLASS CAGE HD Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By:	Agustí Villaronga
Written By:	Agustí Villaronga

Audition
RATING:	R
Runtime:	1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By:	Takashi Miike
Written By:	Daisuke Tengan

A Clockwork Orange
RATING:	R (adult situations/language, nudity, violence)
Runtime:	2 hr. 17min.
Directed By:	Stanley Kubrick
Written By:	Stanley Kubrick

Requiem for a Dream
RATING:	R (for intense depiction of drug addiction, graphic sexuality, strong language and some sexuality)	Requiem For A Dream [Official US Trailer]
Runtime:	1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By:	Darren Aronofsky
Written By:	Darren Aronofsky, Hubert Selby Jr., Hubert Selby

Pink Flamingos
RATING:	NC-17	Pink Flamingos Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By:	John Waters
Written By:	John Waters

August Underground’s Mordum
RATING:	Unrated	August Underground's Mordum Found Footage Trailer
Runtime:	1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By:	Jerami Cruise

Guinea Pig 2 – Flowers Of Flesh And Blood
RATING:	R (for disturbing violent and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language)
Runtime:	1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By:	David Robert Mitchell
Written By:	David Robert Mitchell

Un Chien Andalou
RATING:	Unrated	Un Chien Andalou Trailer Original
Runtime:	20 min.
Directed By:	Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel
Written By:	Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel

Titicut Follies
RATING:	Unrated
Runtime:	1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By:	Frederick Wiseman
Written By:	Frederick Wiseman

About the Author

Norman Gidney is a nearly lifelong horror fan. Beginning his love for the scare at the age of 5 by watching John Carpenter's Halloween, he set out on a quest to share his passion for all things spooky with the rest of the world.