They aren’t all what they seem, and yet they’re all undeniably disturbing. It isn’t a verdict on quality—most aren’t terrible—yet once you’ve seen them, they tend to linger in memory.
If you’re considering watching, you should have a strong stomach. Some titles dump blood in massive quantities, while others deliver shocks without obvious gore.
Here is a list of 25 of the most disturbing movies of all time, presented in order from strongest to least intense, with trailers or full images sourced from YouTube.
martyrs
The film from Pascal Laugier premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 and arrived in French cinemas on September 3, 2008. It is whispered that some viewers faint or lose the ability to watch due to the film’s unflinching intensity. It feels almost like two films in one, shifting tone and pressure as it unfolds.
Inside
Another bold statement from French cinema, pushing boundaries with a ferocity that leaves little room for easy viewing. It is not suitable for expectant mothers, a warning that underscores how far the movie pushes emotional and physical limits.
Serbian movie
This title sparked fierce debate and provoked strong reactions at festivals, including Sitges. For many, reaching the end is a test of endurance, a stark reminder of how far cinema can push taboo and discomfort.
Irreversible
Ten minutes in, the film imposes a raw, unflinching experience that tests viewers. It features Mónica Bellucci and remains a challenging work to digest for days afterward.
cannibal genocide
A notorious entry from the late era of intense exploitation cinema. It centers on forest massacres and sparked real controversy around the conduct of its production. While the events are fictional, the film’s graphic scenes sparked debates about on-screen violence and ethics.
I will spit on your grave
The original 1978 film spawned a later remake and sequels, following the brutal vengeance arc of a woman who survives a horrific assault and plans a ruthless retaliation.
human centipede
This thriller became infamous for its premise and sparked conversations about limits in horror. The trilogy escalates in intensity, with each installment pushing the boundaries of taste and shock value.
confessions
A dark tale of revenge with distinctive Japanese influences, known for its haunting storytelling and multiple award recognition that solidified its place in genre cinema.
chewing gum
The film presents events through a stark, almost eerie lens, with a warning that it may be uncomfortable for animal lovers who form a strong emotional bond with pets.
Salò or 120 Days of Sodom
Pasolini presents a brutal exploration of power and depravity. The film has faced bans and sparked intense controversy, offering an uncompromising, extreme viewing experience.
Congenital
This experimental work resists easy classification. Some viewers regard it as a cult oddity, while others dismiss it as without form. For the curious, it’s a bold, unsettling experiment.
Girl Next Door (2007)
Not to be confused with a lighthearted romance, this adaptation draws on real events and follows a harrowing week that tests the viewer’s empathy and resilience from start to finish.
an american crime
Based on a true case with a similar pattern, the film delivers stark performances from Catherine Keener and Ellen Page, creating a lasting, uneasy impression on audiences.
Megan is missing
Despite a familiar premise, the film is lauded for its craftsmanship and intensity, earning strong praise from horror enthusiasts for its sharp execution and impact.
grotesque
Blood-and-violence driven cinema that pushes boundaries in shocking ways. It’s the kind of title many would rather avoid, reserved for the bravest fans of extreme fare.
ice silence
A film that stirs hesitation in viewers who are drawn to unsettling narratives, prompting careful consideration about whether to continue watching.
Thread
A documentary-style work that prefigures later mockumentaries, focusing on a nuclear disaster’s effects on a city’s working class and the moral questions that follow.
choose
Expect a slow burn that gradually builds until a decisive moment. Fans of Takashi Miike know to brace for what comes next.
behind the glass
Adding a Spanish entry from the mid-1980s, this debut by Agustín Villaronga reshaped national cinema and caused Berlin to take notice with a grim tale about a Nazi doctor.
Visitor Q
Another provocative work from Takashi Miike. If watched late at night, it may make ordinary routines feel unexpectedly daunting the following day.
The Men Behind the Sun
A stark chronicle of wartime atrocities committed in the name of science, challenging viewers with its relentless, disturbing portrayal of cruelty.
necromantic
Banned in several countries, the title signals the kind of graphic, transgressive material it contains, making its name a warning in itself.
post-
A sequence known as the Death trilogy by Nacho Cerdà, exploring birth, death, and rebirth without spoken dialogue. The atmosphere is intense and uncompromising throughout.
Antichrist
Lars von Trier crafts a bleak meditation on sorrow, desire, and the fragility of human meaning, inviting viewers to a difficult, unforgettable experience.
wound
A journey into the darkest corners of the psyche, where the lines between reality and imagination blur in unsettling ways.
Do you miss any of these titles? Which film left you feeling most rattled or unsettled after watching?