Halloween: The Game (2026) – Banned
14 August 2026
The Classification Board have confirmed that HALLOWEEN: THE GAME has been banned in Australia due to ‘illicit drug use that is linked to an incentive or reward’. The RC rating decision was made on 22 July, but held back until today.
The full classification timeline, including the initial IARC ratings, has been added to the Game Censorship Database. It followed EREWHON (2018) as the second game banned by the Classification Board in 2026. Together they joined the nearly 500 IARC Refused Classification decisions that were made this year.
12 August 2026
There is considerable speculation that HALLOWEEN: THE GAME has been banned by the Classification Board.
IllFonic Inc., the producers, received an R18+ (High Impact Violence, High Impact Drug Use, In-Game Purchases, Online Interactivity and Chat) for HALLOWEEN: PRE-ORDER CONTENT on July 2nd.
On July 15th, it was Refused Classification after a second submission from IllFonic. This entry disappeared a few days later from the National Classification Database.
Both decisions came from the automated International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) Global Rating Tool, not the Classification Board. At the time, we documented the RC in our Game IARC Censorship Timeline.
On August 9th, a post on X from @HalloweenTVG stated:
“Despite every effort on our part, the Australian Classifications Board has denied HALLOWEEN: THE GAME a rating. The denial was not based on the presence of the iconic slasher, Michael Myers, or the outstanding kills that can be performed in the game, but rather the presence of a controlled substance. Unfortunately, to our disappointment (and certainly yours) this means that we cannot sell the physical or digital product in both Australia and New Zealand.”
Currently, only the R18+ (High Impact Violence, High Impact Drug Use, In-Game Purchases, Online Interactivity and Chat) remains in the National Classification Database.
It is unclear if IllFonic Inc. is confusing an IARC decision with one from the Classification Board or if they have gone ahead and made a direct submission to the Board. The disappearance of the July 15th RC rating certainly indicates an issue exists.
3 x Adult 16mm from 1981
31 July 2026
This update features a trio of early 1970s 16mm adult titles, all of which went before the Film Censorship Board in 1981.
COUSIN JED RIDES AGAIN (1970) and X-RATED LOVES (1971) both received censored R-ratings following submission from 14th Mandolin. The former seems to have had a theatrical release only, while the latter may have also been issued on their King of Video label.
Greg Lynch Film Enterprises pre-censored TOM AND JILL (197?) prior to receiving an R-rating. With no current IMDb entry, the film is a new addition to our Unidentified page.
Banned from Television (1998)
25 July 2026
Zeal Entertainment were the Australian distributors for Joe Francis’ GIRLS GONE WILD series. As part of the deal, they acquired the rights to BANNED FROM TELEVISION.
Despite two submissions, the Classification Board refused to grant it a rating. This no doubt put an end to any plans to release the sequels.
No Body is Perfect (2006)
17 July 2026
Accent Film Entertainment distributed a number of controversial titles in Australia. Both IRREVERSIBLE (2002) and 9 SONGS (2004) were released with R18+ ratings, while A SERBIAN FILM (2010) remains banned.
Their only other RC title was Raphaël Sibilla’s NO BODY IS PERFECT, which the Classification Board banned in 2007. A majority found it contained ‘actual sexual activity’ combined with ‘fetish practices’, a combination that ruled out an unwanted X18+ rating. Since the Classification Review Board’a decision on ROMANCE (1999) regarding ‘actual sexual activity’ at R18+, Accent should have had a reasonable belief they could obtain such a rating. A minority of the Classification Board agreed, but the RC-rating stood.
The Amazing Shocking Asia (1996)
10 July 2026
Peacock Films released three shockumentaries on VHS during the 1990s. L.A. GANG VIOLENCE and PARAMEDICS 1 & 2 all received R-ratings from the Censorship Board.
They were not so lucky with THE AMAZING SHOCKING ASIA, which the Board awarded an RC-rating in 1998. The US VHS cover promised footage of ‘Asian mob hits, mutilation and dismemberment, bloody murders, freaks of nature, ritual and worship and strange cuisine’.
Mondo Sexualis USA (1987)
3 July 2026
Had MONDO SEXUALIS USA reached Australian video retailers, it would no doubt now be a collector’s item as it appears to have had limited worldwide distribution. Instead, with no official release currently available, the Greek VHS remains the best source.
It joins COLOR ME BLOOD RED (1965), THE LAST SAVAGE PART 2 (1982) and SWEET AND SAVAGE (1983) as Palace Explosive Video releases that never materialised.
Death Scenes (1989) & Executions II (1995)
27 June 2026
Two more shockumentaries banned in Australia are DEATH SCENES and EXECUTIONS II. Neither received a censored release.
DEATH SCENES is a compilation of vintage crime-scene and morgue photographs narrated by Anton LaVey. It is unclear which video label had intended to release it.
EXECUTIONS II has more in common with INHUMANITIES II: MODERN ATROCITIES (1989) than with the more serious EXECUTIONS (1995). The latter had a widespread 1995 R-rated VHS release from Much More Multimedia.
Inhumanities II: Modern Atrocities (1989)
19 June 2026
The Mondo Shockumentary genre has long been a target of the Australian film censor. Many titles had issues both before and after the introduction of the R-rating, and parts 2 to 4 of the infamous FACES OF DEATH series remain banned.
The video boom of the 1980s and 1990s saw the refusal of several cheap compilations. One such title was INHUMANITIES II: MODERN ATROCITIES, which was banned in 1990. The applicant appealed the decision by arguing ‘…the material had already been shown on television’. The Film and Literature Board of Review disagreed and reaffirmed the RC-rating.
The New Zealand censor was more enlightened and passed it with an R18, paving the way for it to be stocked in the local Blockbuster Video.
One Five Zero (2024) – M to PG cuts
19 June 2026
The Australian documentary ONE FIVE ZERO has been modified for a PG rating.
Cuts to the M-rated version took the language from ‘moderate impact’ to ‘mild impact’.
The Last Savage Part 2 (1982)
13 June 2026
The final mondo made by Alfredo and Angelo Castiglioni was banned in Australia in 1985. Like SWEET AND SAVAGE (1983), THE LAST SAVAGE PART 2 was probably intended as a Palace Explosive Video release.
Two of the Castiglioni’s other mondo movies, SECRET AFRICA (1969) and NAKED MAGIC (1975), had censorship issues in Australia.
The Savage Zone (1984)
5 June 2026
Mario Morra’s final mondo, THE SAVAGE ZONE, remains unreleased in Australia despite a censored version receiving an R-rating. It remains unclear why Palace did not go ahead with a cut VHS on their Explosive Video label.
The ‘Savage Trilogy’ that Mario Morra co-directed with Antonio Climati, SAVAGE MAN SAVAGE BEAST (1975), THIS VIOLENT WORLD (1976) and SWEET AND SAVAGE (1983), all faced Australian censorship issues.
Bondi Beach shooting (2025) – X Corp RC appeal
4 June 2026
In February, the Classification Board banned a clip featuring the victims of the December 2025 BONDI BEACH SHOOTING. An appeal by X Corp (Twitter) has resulted in the confirmation of the Refused Classification decision.
In December 2025, they had successfully overturned the RC-ratings awarded to ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK (2025) and one of the KILLING OF IRYNA ZARUTSKA (2025). eSafety hide the content of their submissions behind codes. In these cases, they were only exposed by the Classification Review Board’s reports.
Our Film Censorship Timeline and Publication Censorship Timeline contain all eSafety decisions present in the National Classification Database. Please get in touch if you can identify them. eSafety is subject to numerous Freedom of Information requests, so some may have already been exposed.
Sweet and Savage (1983)
29 May 2026
Following an R-rated theatrical run, SWEET AND SAVAGE was due to be released by Palace Explosive Video but was hit with an RC. This final instalment of the ‘Savage Trilogy’ would have joined the first two parts on the label.
Instead, Blake Films took over from Palace, made some edits and released the VHS on Roadshow’s Premiere Home Video label. This came after two previous submissions had been censored too harshly and received only M-ratings.
Kylie Minogue – Missing Video
22 May 2026
A couple of Kylie questions arise from this update. The video compilation KYLIE MINOGUE – THE KYLIE TAPES 94-98 was initially rated M (Adult themes), before a shorter resubmission received a PG (Low level violence). Our speculation is that the missing video may be WHERE THE WILD ROSES GROW (1995).
Two years later, the CD-ROM of her single KYLIE MINOGUE – ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS (2000) also received an M (Adult themes). Mushroom Records labelled it with an incorrect MA and reissued it with a G-rating. It is unknown whether the latter classification is genuine or another mistake from the distributor. Further details can be found in the above THE KYLIE TAPES 94-98 entry.
Thanks to Silly G. for alerting us to these issues and providing background detail. As always, get in touch if you have further information regarding these two titles.
This Violent World (1976)
16 May 2026
In 1977, Roadshow failed to get THIS VIOLENT WORLD passed the Film Censorship Board due to ‘indecent violence’. It would take another nine years before it saw an Australian release courtesy of Palace Explosive Video.
SAVAGE MAN SAVAGE BEAST (1976), Antonio Climati’s and Mario Morra’s previous mondo film, had been twice banned in 1976. This was despite Roadshow appealing and making cuts. The two films are considered to be part of the ‘Savage Trilogy’.
The Love Maniacs (1971) – Identified
08 May 2026
Another title removed from the Unidentified page is THE LOVE MANIACS. Mike found it to be the 1971 Greek film CONFLICT OF EMOTIONS. It was under this latter title that it was resubmitted in 1979. Imports of the Greek VHS appear to have been stocked in local video stores.
Classification Consultation – 26 May Extension
02 May 2026 – Update
The deadline for submissions has been extended until 26 May.
27 March 2026
Your voice matters! The consultation paper ‘Modernising and Harmonising Classification Standards’ is now live, calling for public input to update the Australian Classification system.
Find full details and submission guidelines here. Submissions close 4 May (Now 26 May).
The report by the Social Research Centre and Mettlesome presents 22 key proposals. Here is a summary:
1: Add a new PG13 rating.
2: Redesign Themes to focus on key issues like sexual violence, suicide, discrimination and scariness.
3: Use evidence‑based definitions instead of moral judgement.
4: Treat game interactivity as higher impact only when it replicates real‑world harm.
5: Change MA15+ to MA16+.
6: Align publication ratings with the standard system. Unrestricted, Category 1 and 2 to be scrapped.
7: Provide clearer, more objective definitions.
8: Rate sexual content consistently except in cases of sexual violence. Fetish or kink-related acts to be treated fairly.
9: Create a community‑based advisory council.
10: Classify titles once across all formats unless content changes.
11: Allow classification updates without full reclassification.
12: Make self‑classification the default with limited Board involvement.
13: Modernise the database with improved structure and AI‑assisted search.
14: Expand automated tools to streamline classification.
15: Always display a consistent classification matrix on the website.
16: Let users pf the website set personalised content‑preference profiles.
17: Combine all versions of a title in the database into one unified listing.
18: Publish transparent logs explaining classification decisions.
19: Add summaries and links to community organisations’ content guidance.
20: Use icons to highlight major content elements and sensitive themes.
21: Provide QR codes for quick access to classification listings.
22: Run a public education campaign to improve understanding of the system.
Many of the proposed changes have the potential to improve the Classification system. Religious and moral groups will be fighting hard to shape the future of Australian content regulation.
We urge all readers to make their voices heard by submitting their responses before the 4 May (Now 26 May) deadline.
Savage Man Savage Beast (1975)
24 April 2026
The Mondo film SAVAGE MAN SAVAGE BEAST was banned in Australia in 1976. Roadshow appealed to the Films Board of Reviews and made significant cuts but failed to secure a rating.
It finally received a local release ten years later as one of the 39 Palace Explosive Video tapes. Unfortunately, it has been pre-cut before it received the R-rating. The majority of the missing footage comes from the infamous, but fake, deaths of Pit Dernitz and the Amazonian Indio.
Duplicate copies of the Palace Explosive tape appear to be the source of the three DVDs that have appeared in Australia.
Erewhon (2018) – Banned
18 April 2026
EREWHON (2018), a Japanese visual novel, was seized by Border Force and submitted for classification. On 15 April the Classification Board awarded it an RC. No details yet as to the reasons.
It is the first non-IARC game banned since last year’s BETWEEN TWO WORLDS (2025).
Japanese games continue to face challenges in the Australia. Over the past decade, titles such as SYMPATHY KISS (2024), MARY SKELTER FINALE (2021), DEATHSMILES I・II (2021), SONG OF MEMORIES (2018), OMEGA LABYRINTH Z (2017), MEIQ: LABYRINTH OF DEATH (2015), and VALKYRIE DRIVE BHIKKHUNI (2015) have all encountered similar classification issues.
Naked Magic (1975) AKA Mondo Magic (1975)
10 April 2026
The Film Censorship Board banned NAKED MAGIC in 1976, though it received an R-rating upon appeal. It may have been pre-cut, as the version submitted to New Zealand, where it was also refused, was three minutes longer.
Unauthorised VHS and DVD releases emerged in the 2000s under the more widely used MONDO MAGIC title. However, both releases were sourced from a heavily censored print.
Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray ratings
21 March 2026 – Update
Two more Blu-rays were classified on February 25.
THE FILMS OF HISAYASU SATÔ: VOLUME TWO on Vinegar Syndrome’s Pink Line sub-label received an R18+ (High impact themes and sex scenes). It contained a double-bill of two of his 1990s pink films, AN ARIA ON GAZES (1992) and LOVE – ZERO = INFINITY (1994).
Debbie Rochon’s MODEL HUNGER (2016), from Wild Eye Releasing, received an R18+ High impact violence and nudity).
It is now nearly four weeks since these were classified so presumably they are the last of seized package. Nine Blu-rays were taken, of which there were received MA15+, two R18+, one X18+ and three RC. The DORIANA GRAY (1976) entry has more information about the nine discs.
26 February 2026 – Update
The Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray submissions are keeping the Classification Board busy.
The Peekarama double-bill of THE VIOLATION OF CLAUDIA (1977) and HOT HONEY (1978) was rated X18+ (Explicit sex) on 23 February. Neither film appears to have had previous Australian distribution. These are the two hardcore features that William Lustig directed prior to his notorious MANIAC (1980). The last time an X18+ was awarded was in January 2021 to a group of NSW Police submissions.
The other Blu-ray was the Factory 25 release of BLOOD BROTHERS & BAKED BABY JESUS – THE MIKE DIANA FILM COLLECTION (1987-1990). The Classification Board got the joke and awarded it an MA15+ (Strong disturbing images and coarse language) on 24 February. They were not so forgiving back in October 1991 when they banned issue seven of Mike Diana’s BOILED ANGEL comic.
21 February 2026 – Update
Two more Border Force submissions have just been rated by the Classification Board. Both THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE (1973) and THE FIREWORKS WOMAN (1975) were Refused Classification.
THE FIREWORKS WOMAN is the film Wes Craven directed between THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (1972) and THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977).
THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE was censored in 1976 for an Australian theatrical release. It was still having issues in 2004 when several copies Synapse’s DVD were reported to have been seized.
They again appear to be part of the same package.
19 February 2026 – Update
Another over-zealous Border Force decision resulted in Daisuke Miura’s LOVE’S WHIRLPOOL (2014) sent to the Classification Board. Far from being a prohibited item, it was instead rated MA15+ (Strong sex scenes, themes and coarse language).
It is likely from the same Vinegar Syndrome shipment as DORIANA GRAY (1976) and ORGY OF THE DEAD (1965).
11 February 2026 – Update
Border Force is really working hard to keep us safe. The Classification Board have just awarded an MA15+ (Strong nudity and sexualised imagery) to Stephen C. Apostolof’s ORGY OF THE DEAD (1965). This 60-year-old softcore feature, written by Ed Wood, was likely picked up based on only its title alone. The applicant and date indicate that it shipped with DORIANA GRAY.
Mélusine appears to have been the source. Their DORIANA GRAY page now warns that, due to circumstances outside their control, they will not ship it to Australia.
8 February 2026
The movies of Jess Franco have a long history of censorship in Australia. On the site, we document cuts and bans to fourteen of his titles. A new one to add to the list is DORIANA GRAY. The Blu-ray was seized by Border Force and submitted to the Classification Board, which rated it RC.
It is the first of his films to be banned in Australia since FEMALE VAMPIRE (1973) in 1995. That title also had issues with X-rated visuals that could not be accommodated in an R-rating. His last seized film, of which we know, was a DVD of LOVE LETTERS OF A PORTUGUESE NUN (1977) in 2004.
It is the first physical media to be Refused Classification since HOW NOT TO SUMMON A DEMON LORD – S02 (2021) in 2023.