Primed for the chop: 9 films that didn’t make the cut in Malaysia

Here are nine films that Malaysian moviegoers have had to settle for on streaming platforms instead of the big screen:

1. "Mentega Terbang" (2021): This Malaysian indie drama explored a teenager's exploration of different religions while confronting her mother's illness. It was banned in 2023 due to its controversial themes which challenged Islamic beliefs and questioned public interest.

2. "Babi" (2020): An adaptation of a real-life school riot, the film delved into racial tensions through provocative means. Its controversial title and alleged racist content led to police reports and a demand for production licensing changes.

3. "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022): Marvel's superhero film starring Chris Hemsworth was cancelled from Malaysian theaters due to concerns over LGBT elements in the script. The film eventually premiered on Disney+ Hotstar.

4. "Lightyear" (2022): Pixar's "Toy Story" prequel was another victim of disagreement over LGBT content. While the film was technically approved by the LPF with cuts, Disney declined to make the changes and withdrew the Malaysian release.

5. "Kadaram Kondan" (2019): This Tamil action thriller, filmed primarily in Malaysia, was banned due to its storyline being damaging to the image of the Malaysian police. The LPF refused approval, ruling out strategic editing.

6. "Noah" (2014): Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic faced religious objections due to its depiction of Noah, a prophet in Islam. The LPF deemed such portrayal as causing "anger and distress".

7. "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013): Martin Scorsese's film about stockbroker Jordan Belfort was denied Malaysian release due to concerns over its excessive content, particularly its profanity.

8. "Zoolander" (2001): Ben Stiller's fashion satire depicted Malaysia as an impoverished nation reliant on sweatshops, leading to its denial of theatrical release.