Superhero movies are often sources of hope, excitement and joy, but a handful of these тιтles have been the subject of bans in countries around the world. While not every superhero movie is technically a wholesome and uplifting experience, they rarely tend to land an R-Rating.
However, there are some superhero movies that received negative attention in certain global markets, which led to their release being restricted or the films being outright banned. Whether it was down to political differences, gratuitous violence, or even trade wars, these are the hero movies that were unable to secure an international release.
11
Eternals
Banned In Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, & China
Eternals received one of the more modest box office performances for the MCU since the franchise began, but it also received some of the harshest bans. The film was banned from several Middle Eastern countries due to the presence of a homoSєxual scene.
Across the region, there are strict laws in place around homoSєxuality, with some countries making it punishable by death. As a result, the presence of such ideologies in this movie resulted in a blanket ban across several nations.
Despite external pressures, Marvel and director Chloé Zhao stood firm in preserving the scenes in the film, and not bending to the censorship of these countries.
10
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Banned In China
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a Marvel story that follows a Chinese superhero, and depicts events within the nation of China. However, despite the cultural connection, the movie was not allowed to release in China.
This came along with a string of other Marvel movie bans, including Black Widow and Eternals, which all came within a three-and-a-half year window after the release of Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
No clear reason was given why this ban occurred, but the fact that it was a blanket Marvel movie ban led to speculation that it could be a result of trade wars between the US and China.
9
Blade
Banned In Malaysia
Blade came out in 1998, and it marked a number of milestones for superhero movies. It featured one of the first Black superheroes in a feature film, and it had a huge amount of violence and blood, which led to it becoming the first R-Rated superhero movie.
While these milestones were celebrated upon Blade’s release, and continue to be acknowledged as a turning point in the industry, not every market was quite as favorable.
At the time of release, Malaysia was known for having extremely strict censorship for films released in that market, and required several cuts and edits of movies like Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, and There’s Something About Mary before they could be released. But Blade was outright banned.
8
The Dark Knight
No Theatrical Release In China
The Dark Knight remains one of the most iconic and influential superhero movies of all time, directed by the outstanding Christopher Nolan, and earning two Academy Awards when superhero movies were rarely even in the discussion for consideration.
However, the film has always had a tenuous relationship with the market in China. While The Dark Knight did not receive a strict ban, the movie was never submitted to a Chinese approval board, thus limiting their ability to play the film in the region.
Since then, The Dark Knight has had a handful of re-releases and special screenings, but more often than not, the film is restricted from being shown in mainland China.
7
300
Banned In Iran
Zack Snyder is a divisive figure among superhero movie fans due to his role in the DCEU, and his vision failing to be seen through to the end. However, back in 2007, he endured potentially the most controversial moment of his career, releasing 300.
The film is based on a comic book by wildly popular comic book writer and artist Frank Miller. The story explores a fictionalized account of the war between 300 Spartans and a Persian army, but the backlash the movie received was overwhelming.
The response from Iran in particular deemed the film American propaganda, and the film was banned from the country entirely.
6
Wonder Woman
Banned In Lebanon, Algeria
The political grievances over Wonder Woman were not actually aimed at the film or the content of the piece, but rather the actress starring in the lead role. Gal Gadot is Israeli, and due to ongoing conflict in the nation, Lebanon actively banned products from Israel.
While Gadot likely had very little to do behind the scenes with the movie, her presence was enough to earn a ban for the film. This was followed by another ban in Algeria, shortly before the movie was due to be released.
5
V For Vendetta
Banned In China
Alan Moore has never been one to shy away from challenging the norm. His comics are daring, thought-provoking, and deeply introspective with anti-government sentiments that prevail through multiple stories.
However, V For Vendetta takes the idea of a dystopian government to a devastating conclusion. The film is very clearly anti-establishment, and presents ideas of rising up and overthrowing the powers that be, and as such, it became a point of contention when the movie was set to release in China.
The movie was not formally banned until 2020, but aside from airing randomly on a communist channel in 2012, the movie has not been generally in circulation either.
4
The Punisher
No Theatrical Release In South Africa, Sweden, Or USA
The 1989 film starring Dolph Lundgren, The Punisher, was an ambitious attempt to adapt the popular comic book story. While the film didn’t stick to the source material, it leaned heavily into the action and violence, with action star Lundgren at the helm.
However, the intensity of this violence and brutality appears to have rubbed some markets the wrong way. Upon its initial release, the movie was not broadly shown in theaters in South Africa, Sweden, or even the United States. However, a few years after release, this decision was reversed, and it was able to be distributed.
3
Suicide Squad
No Theatrical Release In China
Suicide Squad, as directed by David Ayer, was a mixed bag in terms of response. The movie wasn’t a big hit, but it did offer something different for the floundering DCEU. However, that difference wasn’t welcome everywhere.
In China, Suicide Squad did not get an official ban, but the movie was restricted from playing in theaters. The reasons were never made clear, but the fact that the film features violence, anti-government sentiments, and supernatural horror could all have contributed to its blacklisting.
2
Daredevil
Banned In Malaysia
Back in 2003, Ben Affleck starred in an early adaptation of Daredevil. The movie again received very mixed reviews, but it had a charm that resonated with some audiences.
Unfortunately, the charm was not enough to overcome the concerns of the Malaysian censorship board, who deemed the film as excessively violent. The movie only managed to get a PG-13 rating in the US, but evidently even this was too much for Malaysia.
