Barbie, ET, and other movies that are banned in certain countries

Freedom of expression is still something that is closely linked to the culture of a people. Cinema, an art that communicates in mass, therefore has its local particularities and prohibitions.

Some movies cannot be shown in all countries. In the gallery, we list some of them and explain why.

This film was banned in Vietnam on the basis of an error in its decor, revealed by a trailer of the much-hyped 'Barbie' live-action movie.

In the scene, Barbie stands in front of a map that depicts the South China Sea with certain land masses under the control of China. Countries like the Philippines and Vietnam dispute this Chinese 'ownership' and were upset by the careless depiction of the region in the movie.

The mystery story starring Tom Hanks could not be seen in the Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore, Samoa, India, Solomon Islands, China, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon. Authorities alleged that the production insulted religious sentiments.

The film starring Brad Pitt was banned in China for negatively portraying the country's relationship with Tibet. In the plot, Tibet wants its independence from China.

Another important point is its perspective on the Dalai Lama in the film. The Buddhist leader is seen as a separatist man and a threat to the control of the Himalayan region.

Not only the movie but also actor Brad Pitt was banned from China. He could not enter the country for two decades because of 'Seven Years in Tibet.'

Yes, this friendly little pig was also banned in China. The reason is that, within the screening criteria, there is a rule that real animals cannot appear speaking like humans.

In 2002, Saudi Arabia banned the screening of the franchise in the country for considering its content Satanist and occult. It wasn't until 2018 that the movies were finally released.

Although this Woody Allen film does not offer any directly "offensive" themes, India has banned it from its catalog for featuring scenes with people smoking.

The film that deals with the end of the world in 2012 was banned in North Korea. The reason? The year described in the movie coincided with the 100th birthday of Kim il-Sung, founder of the Republic.

Vietnam banned the first film from 'The Hunger Games' saga. The allegation was that it was too violent and featured scenes of child abuse.

The film, which was a worldwide success due to its racy scenes, was banned from Indonesia. The reason was its violent and intimate content, something considered offensive in the country.

Steven Spielberg's award-winning film was banned in Egypt and Jordan because, according to the authorities of the countries, it had many scenes of people without clothes.

One of the most iconic films in world cinema was banned in Finland, Norway, and Sweden for children under 12. According to Scandinavian authorities, the production portrays adults as enemies of children.

Kenya and Uganda banned 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and claimed that the production exaggerated the use of profanity and drug use.

China also prohibited the screening of this feature film because it had scenes of cannibalism and showed supernatural characters.

An absolute success to this day, the film 'Pulp Fiction' cannot be shown in Malaysia because of the many vices it portrays.

Nigeria decided to ban the screening of this film by Neill Blomkamp - with Sharlto Copley in the cast - for showing the Nigerian people in a negative way.

The trilogy was not screened in China because the sale and broadcast of any film dealing with time travel are prohibited.

This film was banned in China for having content that the authorities considered too sensitive for its people.

China banned 'Deadpool' due to violence, people without clothes, and language. The censors themselves stated that it would not be possible to make any edits to this content without affecting the story of the film.