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15 of the Worst NC-17 Rated Films in Movie History

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We don't recommend watching these films...

Ivan Shahran

Entertainment - November 6th 2026, 03:30 GMT+1

A Dirty Shame 2004 NC 17 Rating — 15. A Dirty Shame (2004)

John Waters is definitely no stranger to controversial filmmaking, but ***A Dirty Shame*** takes his usual outrageous humor to another level. The story follows a conservative Baltimore woman who develops an unusual sexual obsession after suffering a head injury. Although the comedy film's ridiculous approach has some appeal, its relentless crude humor and bizarre characters make it one of Waters' more divisive projects to date. | © Fine Line Features

Emmanuelle II 1975 NC 17 Rating — 14. Emmanuelle II (1975)

***Emmanuelle II*** is a French film that serves as the follow-up to the successful 1974 drama. It sees the titular character Emmanuelle become involved in a series of romantic and intimate encounters as she visits Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the sequel struggles to find its footing, thanks in large part to the film having no actual plot. On top of that, its meandering narrative and deeply problematic themes make it feel more like an excuse for provocative imagery than an engaging story. | © Parafrance Films

Elles 2011 NC 17 Rating — 13. Elles (2011)

Starring Juliette Binoche, ***Elles*** follows a journalist investigating the lives of university students who work as escorts. While the premise offers plenty of opportunities for an interesting examination of money, sexuality, and personal freedom, the film itself struggles to make its observations meaningful in any regard. Its uneven pacing, flawed storyline, and underdeveloped characters also leave much of the film's potential unexplored. | © Zentropa International Poland

Glam 1997 NC 17 Rating — 12. Glam (1997)

***Glam*** is an independent drama centered around a group of filmmakers and performers navigating the underground entertainment scene in Los Angeles. Featuring elements of crime, sexuality, and dark comedy, the film tries to explore the excesses and desperation of people chasing fame. However, its disjointed storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and uneven performances make it a difficult film to get invested in. | © Cineville Entertainment

Comfortably Numb 1995 NC 17 Rating — 11. Comfortably Numb (1995)

***Comfortably Numb*** is a rather obscure drama that explores the lives of people dealing with addiction, relationships, and personal struggles. Despite having plenty of serious themes to work with, the film never quite manages to turn them into a compelling storyline. Some argue it felt more like a PSA about addiction rather than an actual movie. That said, its limited recognition and lack of a memorable narrative have left *Comfortably Numb* largely forgotten among the many NC-17 releases of the '90s. | © Shooting Gallery

Hard to Die 1990 NC 17 Rating — 10. Hard to Die (1990)

***Hard to Die*** is a low-budget horror comedy whose story revolves around a group of lingerie models who find themselves trapped inside an office building. Unfortunately for them, a mysterious killer is on the loose, and he's hunting them down. This 1990 film admittedly has an incredibly straightforward slasher setup, but it's not even able to deliver on that. The film relies heavily on cheap humor, forgettable characters, cringe-worthy sequences, and predictable horror sequences. It's hard to consider this film any good. | © Miracle Pictures

Dice Rules 1991 NC 17 Rating — 9. Dice Rules (1991)

Andrew Dice Clay brings his controversial stand-up persona to the big screen in this comedy film. Known for his deliberately offensive material, Clay delivers the kind of offensive humor that made him famous, but the performance hasn't aged particularly well. Much of the material in ***Dice Rules*** feels repetitive, and viewers unfamiliar with his comedic style may struggle to understand the appeal. This 1991 film is actually the first film to receive an NC-17 rating for language alone. | © New Line Cinema/Fleebin Dabble

Descent 2007 NC 17 Rating — 8. Descent (2007)

Rosario Dawson stars as a college student whose life takes a devastating turn after she experiences a traumatic assault. ***Descent*** attempts to explore revenge, trauma, and the long-term effects of violence, but its terribly bleak storytelling, sluggish tone, and poor pacing can make it an exhausting watch. Although Dawson delivers a commendable performance, the film's uneven execution doesn't do its serious subject matter justice. | © City Lights Pictures

Swearnet The Movie 2014 NC 17 Rating — 7. Swearnet: The Movie (2014)

Featuring the stars of *Trailer Park Boys* playing exaggerated versions of themselves, ***Swearnet: The Movie*** revolves around their attempt to launch an uncensored internet network. As a result, this dark comedy leans heavily into profanity, crude jokes, and relentlessly offensive humor. While fans of the original series might appreciate its familiar comedic style, the film's preference for repetitive gags over a substantive plot and good writing makes it difficult to recommend to anyone else. | © Entertainment One

Bank Robber 1993 NC 17 Rating — 5. Bank Robber (1993)

***Bank Robber*** is a crime comedy that follows a bank robber, played by Patrick Dempsey, who attempts to escape the consequences of his actions and his connection to several unusual characters. We'll give it credit for its promising premise, but the film squanders it by struggling to establish a consistent tone. The film's mixture of crime, romance, and dark humor never quite comes together, and this results in a largely forgettable experience. Interestingly, *Bank Robber* was originally released in US theatres with an NC-17 rating. However, the video version was heavily edited and subsequently given an R-rating. | © I.R.S. Releasing Corporation

Ma Mère 2004 NC 17 Rating — 4. Ma Mère (2004)

This French drama centers on a young man who becomes involved in disturbing sexual experiences after his father dies. Starring Isabelle Huppert, ***Ma Mère*** dives head-first into taboo subjects, but its uncomfortable premise and provocative storytelling aren't necessarily for everyone. The film received a poor critical reception, with its exceptionally controversial material doing little to make the overall experience enjoyable. | © Arte France Cinéma

Krampus The Christmas Devil 2013 NC 17 Rating — 3. Krampus: The Christmas Devil (2013)

***Krampus: The Christmas Devil*** is a low-budget Christmas horror film that follows a police officer who becomes obsessed with tracking down Krampus, a sinister figure who punishes naughty children during the holiday season. The film never makes an impact because of its weak acting, uneven pacing, and just an extremely poor script. Its underwhelming scares and poor execution make it a disappointing choice for horror fans looking for a scary film to watch during Christmas. | © Snowdog Studio

Delta of Venus 1995 NC 17 Rating — 2. Delta of Venus (1995)

Based on the writings of Anaïs Nin, ***Delta of Venus*** is a drama that follows Elena, an aspiring American writer living in Paris in 1940 who discovers a new source of inspiration through her intimate experiences. Its provocative premise and stylish presentation are overshadowed by the film struggling to turn its subject matter into a compelling story. Moreover, many of the romantic and philosophical lines land awkwardly because of the actors' stiff delivery. | © Alliance Communications Corporation/New Line Cinema

100 Tears 2007 NC 17 Rating — 1. 100 Tears (2007)

***100 Tears*** is an independent horror film whose story revolves around a journalist investigating a series of gruesome murders committed by a mysterious circus performer. Its NC-17 rating comes from the film's extreme horror and excessive violence. The movie also doesn't hold back on gore. Its low-budget production, questionable acting, and poorly put-together story make it a rough experience even for fans of campy or unpolished horror films. | © Manic Entertainment/Pop Gun Pictures

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An NC-17 rating typically means that a movie pushes boundaries with its adult content and extremely mature themes, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's worth watching. While some filmmakers have used the rating to deliver bold, challenging, and memorable cinema, others have struggled to make anything worthwhile out of the freedom it provides. That said, here are several NC-17-rated films that have earned a place among the most disappointing movies of their kind.

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An NC-17 rating typically means that a movie pushes boundaries with its adult content and extremely mature themes, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's worth watching. While some filmmakers have used the rating to deliver bold, challenging, and memorable cinema, others have struggled to make anything worthwhile out of the freedom it provides. That said, here are several NC-17-rated films that have earned a place among the most disappointing movies of their kind.