list of nc-17 rated films

This is a list of films rated NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America's Classification and Rating Administration (CARA). It includes X-rated films reassigned an NC-17 rating, and titles originally rated NC-17, but edited for a lower rating. Titles with surrendered ratings are usually released unrated to avoid the stigma of NC-17. Changes in ratings are due to resubmission or appeal by a film's producers. Films receiving an NC-17 are often cut and resubmitted in hopes of earning an R rating, which allows distribution to more outlets than an NC-17 rating. Occasionally an R-rated film will have footage added to earn an NC-17 rating and its accompanying notoriety. In at least one case, an R-rated film was re-rated NC-17 even though no edits were made: The 1969 Sam Peckinpah film The Wild Bunch, originally rated R, was resubmitted by Warner Bros. in 1993 before an expected rerelease; to their surprise, it was rated NC-17, delaying the rerelease while the decision was appealed. Some titles include the reasons the rating was given. In 1990, CARA began including a brief statement of the reason for a specific film's R rating; several years later it began giving reasons for all film ratings.

0-9

1900, 1976, originally rated R; edited version rated NC-17 in 1990
6 to 9, 2005, for explicit sexual content including pervasive nudity

A

The Advocate, 1994; edited version rated R for elements of strong sexuality
American Psycho, 2000; edited version rated R for strong violence, sexuality, drug use and language
Angel of Passion, 1991; edited version rated R in 1995 for strong sexuality, and for some language
Arabian Nights (Il fiore delle mille e una notte), 1974; rated X in 1979; re-rated NC-17 in 1991
Artemisia, 1998, for strong, graphic sexuality and nudity; re-rated R on appeal

B

Back in Action, 1994; edited version rated R for violence, and for language and brief drug use
Bad Education, 2004, for explicit sexual content
Bad Lieutenant, 1992; edited version rated R for drug use, language, violence and nudity
, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, and for language and some drug content
Bank Robber, 1993; edited verson rated R in 1994 for strong sexuality, a bloody shooting, drug content and language
The Barcelona Erotic Film Festival, rated 1999, for explicit sexual content
Bent, 1997, for a strong scene of graphic sexuality; edited version rated R in 1998 for strong sexuality including explicit sexual dialogue, some brutal violence, language and drug use
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, 1970, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1990
Bizarre, rated 1991
Black and White, 1999; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, graphic language, some violence and drug use
Bliss, 1997; edited version rated R for graphic sex scenes with strong sex-related dialogue, and for language
Blonde Emmanuelle in 3-D, rated 1990
The Boondock Saints, 1999; edited version rated R for strong violence, language and sexual content
Boxing Helena, 1993, for two scenes of strong sexuality and language; re-rated R on appeal
Boys Don't Cry, 1999; edited version rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use
Broken English, 1996, for explicit sexuality; edited version rated R for language, violence and some drug content

C

The Canterbury Tales (I Racconti di Canterbury), 1972, originally rated X in 1979; re-rated NC-17 in 1991
Centerspread, rated 1990 for extensive use of extremely explicit sex-related dialogue
Clerks, 1994; re-rated R on appeal for extensive use of extremely explicit sex-related dialogue
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, 1989 (rated 1990); edited version rated R
The Cooler, 2003; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, violence, language and some drug use
Comfortably Numb, 1995, for scenes of graphic drug use and some explicit sexuality
Crash, 1996, for numerous explicit sex scenes; edited version rated R for accident gore, some graphic language and aberrant sexual content

D

Damage, 1992; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, and for language
Dangerous Game, 1993; edited version rated R for pervasively strong language, explicit sexuality, and drug use
Dark Obsession (Diamond Skulls), 1989 (rated 1991)
Dead and Breakfast, 2005; edited version rated R for strong horror violence/gore and language
Dead Presidents, 1995; edited version rated R for strong graphic violence, language, a sex scene and some drug use
Delta of Venus, 1995; originally rated R in 1994 for strong erotic content; edited version rated NC-17 in 1995 for explicit sexuality
Dice Rules, 1991
A Dirty Shame, 2004, for pervasive sexual content; edited home entertainment version rated R in 2005 for pervasive strong crude sexual content, including fetishes
The Dolls, rated 1991
The Dreamers, 2003 (rated 2004), for explicit sexual content; edited version rated R for strong sexual content and graphic nudity, language and some drug use
The Dreamlife of Angels, 1999; edited version rated R for some strong sexuality

E

Easyriders Video Magazine #13, rated 1992 (video release)
(Emmanuelle 2), 1975, originally rated X in 1976; re-rated NC-17 in 1991
Erotic Nights, 1991; edited version rated R for sensuality and sex-related dialogue
Erotique, rated in 1994 and 1995 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and some language
The Evil Dead, 1981 (rated 1994), for substantial graphic horror violence and gore
Extreme Justice, 1993, for strong graphic violence, language, and for a scene of sexuality; re-rated R on appeal

F

Fantasy, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for strong sensuality and language
Fantasies for Couples, 1991; edited version rated R for sensuality and nudity
Female Trouble, 1974 (rated 1999), for explicit sexuality and nudity
Flesh Gordon 2 (Flesh Gordon Meets the Cosmic Cheerleaders), 1989 (rated 1991)
Freeway, 1996; edited version rated R for strong lurid violence and sexual dialogue, some sexual situations, drug content and language

G

Games of Love, rated 1991
Glam, 2001 (rated 1998), for a scene of explicit sexuality and some sexual dialogue
La Grande Bouffe, 1973, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1998 for some explicit sexuality
Gummo, 1997; edited version rated R for pervasive depiction of anti-social behavior of juveniles, including violence, substance abuse, sexuality and language

H

Happiness, 1999 (rating surrendered)
Hell's Belles, 1997, for pervasive sexuality and nudity
Henry & June, 1990 (first title to be rated NC-17)
High Tension (Haute tension), 2003 (rated 2004), for strong graphic violence
The Hottest Bid, 1995, for strong graphic sexuality

I

Ice Cold in Phoenix, 2004; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, brutal violence and language
In the Cold of the Night, 1990; edited version rated R
In the Realm of the Senses (Ai no corrida), 1976 (rated 1991)
Inserts, 1975, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1996 for explicit sexuality
Inside Deep Throat, 2005, for explicit sexual content
Intent to Kill, 1993 (rated 1992)

J

no titles

K

Kalifornia, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, and for sexuality and language
Kids, 1995 (rating surrendered)
Kika, 1993 (rated 1994, rating surrendered)
Killing Zoe, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence and language, plentiful drug use and a sex scene

L

L.I.E., 2001 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2002 for strong sexual content involving teens, language and brief violence
Last Tango in Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi), 1972, originally rated X in 1973; edited version rated R in 1981; edited version rated X in 1982; re-rated NC-17 in 1997 for some explicit sexual content
Leonora, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for sensuality, nudity and language
Love and Human Remains, 1995; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, language, violence and some drug use
The Lover, 1992, for graphic and explicit sexuality; re-rated R on appeal
The Loves of Lady Chatterley, rated 1992

M

Ma Mre, 2004 (rated 2005) for strong and aberrant sexual content.
Man Bites Dog (C'est arriv prs de chez vous), 1992 (rated 1993)
Mercy, 1999, originally rated R; edited version rated NC-17 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for language, drug use, and perverse sexual behavior including violence and nudity
Midnight Woman, 1990
Modern Love, rated 1991
Myriam, rated 1991

N

Nothin' Goes Right, 1988, originally rated X in 1989; re-rated NC-17 in 1991

O

Orgazmo, 1997 (rated 1998), for explicit sexual content and dialogue

P

Paris, France, 1993 (rated 1994), for explicit sexual content
Peepshow, rated 1990
Phantasm III, 1993; edited version rated R for violence and gore, and for language and sexuality
Pink Flamingos, 1972, 1997 re-release rated NC-17 for a wide range of perversions in explicit detail
Play Thing, rated 1990
Poison, 1991, originally rated R in 1992 for sensuality, strong language and sexual violence; edited version rated NC-17

Q

no titles

R

Radio Active, rated 1990
Rated X, 2000 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, drug use, language and some violence
Razor Blade Smile, 1999; edited version rated R for horror violence and gore, sexuality, language and some drug content
Requiem for a Dream, 2000 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2001 for intense depiction of drug addiction, graphic sexuality, strong language and some violence
Romantic Memoirs (Baksmlla), 1973, rated 1990
Romper Stomper, 1993; edited version rated R in 1994 for brutality and violence, sexuality and language
The Rules of Attraction, 2002; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, drug use, language and violent images

S

Santa Sangre (Santa sangre), 1989, originally rated R in 1990 for bizarre, graphic violence and sensuality, and for drug content; rated NC-17 in 1991 for several scenes of extremely explicit violence (rating surrendered)
Saw, 2004; edited version rated R for strong grisly violence and language
The Secret Sex Lives of Romeo and Juliet, 1970 (rated 1990)
, 2001; edited version rated R for strong perverse sexuality, drug use, language and violence.
The Seduction of Angela, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for sensuality, nudity and some sex-related dialogue
The Shadowed Mind, rated 1991
Showgirls, 1995, for nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, nudity, language, a rape scene and drug use
Showgirls: Sneak Preview (promotional short for Showgirls), 1995, for strong sexual images
Softly From Paris: Series I, rated 1990
Softly From Paris: Series II, rated 1990
Softly From Paris: Series III, rated 1990
Softly From Paris: Series IV, rated 1990
Softly From Paris: Series V, rated 1990
Spirit of the Night, 1994; edited version rated R in 1996 for strong sexuality and some language
Stone Cold, 1991; edited version rated R for strong violence and language, and for sensuality
The Story of O (Histoire d'O), 1975, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 2002 for sexual content
The Story of O, rated 2001 (rating surrendered)

T

, 2004; edited version rated R for graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong languageall involving puppets
Teenage Bonnie and Klepto Clyde, 1993, for strong graphic violence, strong language and sexuality; re-rated R on appeal
Thomas in Love (Thomas est amoureux), 2000, rated 2001 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2002 for strong sexuality and language
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (Átame!), 1990, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 (rating surrendered)
Tokyo Decadence (Topzu), 1992 (rated 1993)
Tower of Terror, 1992
Trois, 2000, originally rated R for strong sexuality, language and some violence; edited version rated NC-17 for some explicit sexuality
Tropic of Cancer, 1970, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1992
Two Girls and a Guy, 1997; edited version rated R for a strong sex scene, strong language and sexual dialogue, and for a violent image; edited version rated NC-17 for a scene of explicit sexuality
Twogether, 1993; edited version rated R for strong sexuality and language

U

The Ugly, 1998 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for gruesome gory murders, language and a scene of sexuality

V

no titles

W

Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes, 2003, originally rated R for strong sexual content, language, drug use and some violent images; edited video version rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content
When Night Is Falling, 1995 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 1996 for strong sexuality and some language
Whipped, 2000; edited version rated R for strong sexual content and language.
Whore, 1990; edited version rated R for strong sexual situations and dialogue, and for some violence
Wide Sargasso Sea, 1993 (rated 1992); edited version rated R in 1993 for strong sexuality
The Wild Bunch, 1969, originally rated R; re-rated NC-17 in 1993, but reverted to R on appeal
WVAG in New York City, 2001, for graphic sexuality (short film)

X

no titles

Y

You So Crazy, 1994 (rating surrendered)
Young Adam, 2003 (rated 2004), for some explicit sexual content; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, some disturbing behavior and language