Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975) remains the most banned film on this list due to its explicit depiction of torture, rape, and murder of kidnapped teenagers by fascist libertines. Pier Paolo Pasolini's final work is a metaphor for capitalism's commodification of bodies, yet its extremity has divided audiences for decades. Concrete data point: as of 2024, the film is still banned in 12 countries, outpacing The Last Temptation of Christ's 5-country ban by more than double. Pasolini was murdered just weeks before its release, and the film's 116-minute runtime includes 30 minutes of unrelenting violence that critics argue crosses the line from political statement to exploitation. Its limited theatrical release of only $200,000 worldwide revenue underscores its niche audience.