It’s astonishing how societal attitudes towards what is considered shocking evolve over time, rendering once controversial films relatively mild in retrospect. This phenomenon spans across various genres, where pioneering comedies, dramas, and horror movies have set the stage for future films to venture into previously unexplored cinematic territories. Horror movies that once sent audiences fleeing from theaters now seem relatively tame compared to the most shocking media representations of today.

Historically, some of the most controversial films, crafted by visionary directors like Alfred Hitchcock and William Friedkin, pushed audiences well beyond their comfort zones with their truly subversive content. These films often tested the limits of tolerance, with representations of LGBTQ+ characters that once seemed groundbreaking now appearing far less controversial. The shifting perceptions of what makes a film controversial underscore significant social and political progress over the past few decades.

**American Pie (1999): Pushing the Limits of Teen Comedy**

“American Pie,” the coming-of-age teen sex comedy released in 1999, was a cultural touchstone at the cusp of the new millennium. Featuring extremely raunchy humor that exceeded anything seen in previous comedies, the film was divisive among critics. Scenes involving Jason Biggs’ character engaging in sexual activities with a pie, semen in a beer cup, and a mochaccino spiked with laxatives were particularly controversial. While these elements remain crude, they are not significantly different from typical antics portrayed in teen comedies today. In fact, given the increasingly vulgar and sexually explicit nature of later films, “American Pie” now seems relatively mild.

Comedy has always been an art form that pushes boundaries, and “American Pie” undoubtedly set the stage for subsequent movies to push even further. This trend continued within its own franchise, with sequels and spin-offs exploring similar humor, though often with diminishing returns. The original “American Pie” was a shocking release that revitalized the teen comedy genre in the early 2000s. Reflecting on it now, it captures a simpler time when audiences could still be surprised by something as innocent as an apple pie.

**The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): From Subversive to Campy Icon**

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” released in 1975, stands as a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema and has attained iconic status over nearly five decades. As a rock musical that embraced B-movie clichés and featured an alien transvestite from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, its over-the-top sexuality and subversive nature were groundbreaking. Tim Curry’s performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter has left an enduring legacy, with fans continuing to dress up for interactive screenings.

Viewing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” today through the lens of its initial audience reveals a stark contrast. What appears as an outrageously campy experience now was truly subversive in 1975. The film tackled themes of self-discovery and personal expression while making a political statement about LGBTQ+ visibility. Although it retains a devoted cult following, its once-trailblazing elements now seem tame, highlighting society’s progress towards greater inclusivity.

**Midnight Cowboy (1969): Breaking Boundaries with Male Prostitution**

“Midnight Cowboy,” released in 1969, remains the only X-rated film to have won the Best Picture Oscar. It was highly controversial for its portrayal of male prostitution. The X rating, akin to today’s NC-17, was reserved for films with explicit violence or sexual content meant strictly for adults. Looking back, it’s puzzling why “Midnight Cowboy” received such a harsh categorization.

The film depicted the grim reality of New York City’s underbelly through the unlikely friendship between Joe Buck (Jon Voight), a naive gigolo, and Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), a con man with health issues. While it featured some sexual content, it didn’t go far beyond what is now standard in adult-oriented releases. At its core, “Midnight Cowboy” offered social commentary that tested viewers’ sensibilities. Themes of drugs, prostitution, and sexual assault have become far more prevalent in mainstream media today.

**Dogma (1999): Religious Fantasy That Stirred Controversy**

Kevin Smith’s “Dogma,” released in 1999, expanded on his previous slacker stoner characters within an ambitious religious fantasy framework. Starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as two fallen angels seeking a loophole to re-enter Heaven, the film faced backlash for perceived blasphemy from religious groups. Infamously, Smith attended a protest against his own movie incognito and told reporters he didn’t think it stood for anything positive.

Despite the controversy over its anti-Catholic perceptions, “Dogma” was never intended as an attack on organized religion. Instead, it emphasized the importance of faith within a universe where Christianity was proven true. Given the Catholic Church’s controversies at the time, “Dogma” seems rather mild in retrospect.

**The Blair Witch Project (1999): Found-Footage Genre Pioneer**

“The Blair Witch Project,” released in 1999, pioneered the found-footage horror genre. At the time, some viewers believed it was a real documentary due to its marketing campaign listing actors as “missing” or “deceased.” This belief added to the film’s terrifying impact.

Today, audiences are familiar with found-footage style through series like “Paranormal Activity” and “Cloverfield,” making “The Blair Witch Project” seem tame by comparison. Despite its modest budget of $35,000 to $60,000, the film grossed nearly $250 million worldwide, showcasing its lasting impact on horror cinema.

**Don’t Look Now (1973): Grief and Controversial Sex Scene**

Nicolas Roeg’s “Don’t Look Now,” released in 1973, is a powerful exploration of grief following the death of a child. Starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, the film employed innovative editing techniques to create a surreal atmosphere. However, its artistry was overshadowed by a graphic sex scene that pushed mainstream boundaries.

The scene was unusually explicit for its time and remained controversial even years later. Television airings of the film elicited complaints from shocked viewers. Today, such scenes seem tame compared to explicit content in popular TV series like “Game of Thrones.”

**Basic Instinct (1992): Provocative Thriller with Controversial Content**

“Basic Instinct,” released in 1992, is an erotic thriller that sparked significant controversy due to its explicit content and depiction of homosexual relationships. The film grossed $352 million globally despite protests over its portrayal of a bisexual character as a psychopathic murderer.

The infamous interrogation scene where Sharon Stone’s character briefly uncrosses her legs to reveal no undergarments pushed mainstream boundaries at the time. While this would still warrant a strict rating today, full-frontal nudity has become far less shocking over the years. The controversy surrounding “Basic Instinct” has often overshadowed its merits as an enjoyable neo-noir thriller.

**The Exorcist (1973): Horror Classic That Shook Audiences**

“The Exorcist,” released in 1973, ignited cultural conversations around horror movies and became the first horror film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Its terrifying content reportedly caused audience members to faint and vomit during screenings.

Despite facing criticism from groups like the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for Film and Broadcasting for potentially encouraging occult beliefs, “The Exorcist” had a profound influence on the horror genre. It inspired numerous exorcism-based horror movies and remains effective at scaring modern viewers.

**Psycho (1960): Revolutionary Yet Tame by Today’s Standards**

Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” released in 1960, shattered cinematic boundaries with unprecedented levels of sexuality and violence. Iconic scenes like Marion Crane in a bra and Norman Bates’ cross-dressing were groundbreaking at the time.

However, these elements seem tame today, highlighting how much horror has evolved since then. Despite this, “Psycho” remains a beloved classic that laid the groundwork for future horror films.

**The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): A Horror Milestone**

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” released in 1974, introduced audiences to a terrifying concept: a serial killer wielding a power tool and wearing his victims’ flesh. Its intense gore and deviant sexual content pushed audiences beyond their comfort zones.

While still terrifying, numerous imitations have made its excessive violence less shocking today. The film laid foundations for franchises like “Halloween” and “Evil Dead,” making it an essential piece of horror history that now seems almost tame by comparison.

Sources: Collider, Guardian, Box Office Mojo