This is a list of films that are or have at one point been banned from release or showing in the United States; including films banned in specific American cities or states. This also includes cartoons, television specials, and films banned from being aired on television.
List Film Release date Date(s) banned Reason Stag films 1896-1930 1934-1970s Banned during the Hays Office Code for the obscene nature in these films, despite their being shown only in private parties. All Mabel Normand films 1910-1927 1924 On January 9, 1924, the entire state of Michigan temporarily banned all films starring Mabel Normand following the shooting of Courtland Dines, a wealthy oilman from Denver, that was led by Normand's chauffeur that sparked national headlines. All Charlie Chaplin films 1914-1952 1940s-1956 Memphis, Tennessee's longtime board chief Lloyd T. Binford had a history of banning every Charlie Chaplin movie due to his objection to the popular actor's private life. However throughout time, the Memphis area outside of the city screened his movies without a single warning. A few examples include the 1952 film Limelight being screened in neighboring West Memphis, Arkansas to avoid Binford's reaction. And on May 2, 1954, the First Unitarian Church in Memphis screened one of Chaplin's silent movies to a test audience with a capacity of 100 people. Binford replied that the church would "violate the law" if they screened the 1915 movie A Burlesque on Carmen. They did, the audience enjoyed it with heavy laughter, and there was nothing "morally" wrong with the picture.