Natural Born Killers (1994)

Natural Born Killers sparked over 12 copycat murder cases globally, including by the Columbine shooters who reportedly referenced it. Unlike #6 The Passion of the Christ, which was criticized for antisemitic tropes, this film was blamed for inspiring real violence. John Grisham's lawsuit against Oliver Stone failed, but a 1998 study found 68% of surveyed law enforcement linked it to violence. Its chaotic style and satire of media sensationalism—showing news coverage of a killing spree—proved its thesis when real tragedies echoed its plot, cementing its status as a meta-controversy.