These movies cannot be watched in Singapore, Australia, and Egypt. Why?

You can't please everyone — especially in the world of cinema. Learn about which films are banned from showing in different countries and why in our article.

Ben-Hur (1959)

This epic film with biblical themes faced opposition from the Arab League (which consists of 22 countries!) because the leading actress, Haya Harareet, is Israeli. This is not the first time an artist's origin or political views have taken center stage.

Since 1948, Arab countries have regularly banned films featuring pro-Zionists, like Danny Kaye and Elizabeth Taylor. Currently, Hollywood films featuring 'Wonder Woman,' Israeli actress Gal Gadot, have also fallen out of favor.

Ancient Rome, a man rushes in a chariot drawn by a team of four white horses — A scene from the film 'Ben-Hur'

Zoolander (2001)

In the comedy's plot, Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) plans to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. It's not surprising that the film was never officially shown in this country. To avoid trouble, all mentions of Malaysia in the film were changed to "Micronesia" in other Asian countries.

A fashionably dressed man with a headband surrounded by hairdressers — Scene from the movie "Zoolander"

Borat (2006)

The black comedy "Borat" did not please all the countries of the League of Arab States, except Lebanon. In the Persian Gulf, the film was called disgusting, repulsive, and utterly ridiculous.

However, the mockumentary film is not banned in Kazakhstan, even though the character played by Sacha Baron Cohen grotesquely parodies the culture of this very country. For example, in its fictional anthem, "the best manure" is mentioned. Despite the outrage of the local residents, the Minister of Foreign Affairs decided that the controversial film would attract tourists and new potential citizens to Kazakhstan.

A curly brunette in a blue windbreaker shows thumbs up and smiles broadly — Scene from the movie 'Borat'

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

The feature film about the Simpson family is officially banned in Myanmar due to... "the combination of yellow and red colors" (the yellow skin tone of Springfield's citizens and Lisa Simpson's red dress).

These two colors are represented on the flag of the "National League for Democracy," which is now considered illegal. Essentially, the story with "The Simpsons" became an act of the military junta and an absurd attempt by the authorities to suppress the democratic sentiments that have swept through the people of Myanmar.

Scene from the animated film: two yellow people riding a motorcycle against a backdrop of flames — Scene from the animated film 'The Simpsons Movie'

Hereafter (2010)

Clint Eastwood's fantasy drama was removed from all Japanese theaters a few days after its premiere. The reason was the strongest earthquake in Japan's history on March 11, 2011. To avoid further distressing the local residents with "horrifying" and "inappropriate" tsunami scenes, the film was withdrawn.

A man in a brown corduroy shirt sits in front of a boy in a brown baseball cap — Scene from the movie 'Hereafter'

The Human Centipede 2 (2011)

Tom Six's sequel to his already controversial body horror is banned in six countries — Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and the Philippines. Apparently, these nations were not prepared for the excessive brutality that constitutes the horror plotline. Interestingly, the first part of the film somehow managed to avoid punishment.

Close-up of a large man with bulging eyes — Scene from 'The Human Centipede 2'

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

The Malaysian Film Censorship Board deemed the sensational melodrama with Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan to have "unnatural" and "sadistic" content. The commission disapproved of scenes where a woman is tied to a bed and beaten with a whip. While banning "Fifty Shades of Grey," the board's chairman emphasized that it's more pornography than film. Eight other countries and regions in the North Caucasus agreed with this view.

A girl in a blue sweater is sitting on a chair, with an open notebook on her lap and a pencil in her hand — Scene from the film 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

The spy action film was never shown in Cambodia because, according to the plot, the villains' base is located in the ruins of a local temple. The Kingdom's authorities were upset that Cambodian soil is used as a place where terrorists create problems for the world.

Incidentally, for the same reason, the country rejected several other films, including "No Escape" (2015) with Owen Wilson and the Chinese thriller "No More Bets" (2023).

A young man in a jacket and glasses among tropical thickets, holding a pistol in his hand — A scene from the movie "Kingsman: The Golden Circle"

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Recently, Marvel Studios have been striving to make their projects as inclusive as possible, and Taika Waititi's action film is no exception. In the movie, Valkyrie, played by Tessa Thompson, expresses clear romantic feelings towards another female character. Due to this, the film faced persecution in the Middle East and China.

A long-haired blonde in a red cloak holding a huge axe on his shoulder — A scene from 'Thor: Love and Thunder'

Barbie (2023)

The Hollywood hit "Barbie" was not selected in several Muslim countries, including Algeria and Oman. Local representatives saw the promotion of homosexuality and other Western deviations in Greta Gerwig's fantasy comedy.

Police photo: a blonde in a bright visor stands against a height chart holding a sign with the name "barbie" — Scene from the movie "Barbie"

However, the ban on screening in Vietnam occurred for different reasons — due to a scene with a map drawn in a Chinese style. The area in question is part of Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. This sector includes waters that Vietnam also claims, as Collider writes. The film's creators stated that the "childish" map behind Robbie's character was not meant to be accurate — but no one wanted to listen.

Films are banned for various reasons — cultural, religious, political. However, it's encouraging that no film has yet been banned worldwide.