The Most Unusual Films of All Time

Description: Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Anthony Burgess's novel presents a dystopian future where violence and classical music intertwine in a disturbing ballet of free will versus control.

Fact: Kubrick withdrew the film from UK cinemas after it was linked to several copycat crimes. The film's use of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was highly controversial.

Description: Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, this film is a psychedelic journey through spiritual enlightenment, featuring bizarre imagery and allegorical storytelling that defies traditional narrative structures.

Fact: Jodorowsky himself appears in the film as The Alchemist. The movie was banned in several countries due to its controversial content.

Description: Michel Gondry's film blurs the line between dreams and reality, exploring the inner world of a man whose dreams start to invade his waking life, creating a whimsical yet poignant narrative.

Fact: Many of the dream sequences were created using practical effects and handmade props. The film's visual style was heavily influenced by Gondry's music video work.

Description: Guy Maddin and Evan Johnson's film is a labyrinthine narrative of nested stories, each more bizarre than the last, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the subconscious.

Fact: The film was inspired by lost films from the silent era, and its structure mimics the experience of channel surfing.

Description: Yorgos Lanthimos crafts a world where single people must find a romantic partner within 45 days or be transformed into animals, blending dark comedy with a critique on societal norms.

Fact: The film was shot in Ireland, with many scenes filmed in the Kerry countryside. The title refers to the protagonist's choice of animal transformation.

Description: Directed by the Daniels, this film follows a man stranded on a deserted island who befriends a corpse with unique abilities, blending dark comedy with existential themes.

Fact: The film was initially titled "The Farting Corpse Movie" during production. Daniel Radcliffe performed all his own stunts, including being dragged through the mud.

Description: David Lynch's debut feature is a surreal exploration of fatherhood and industrial decay, known for its unsettling atmosphere and dream-like sequences that have puzzled and fascinated viewers for decades.

Fact: The film was shot over a period of five years due to Lynch's perfectionism and limited budget. The eerie baby in the film was created using a calf fetus.

Description: Shinya Tsukamoto's cyberpunk horror film features a man transforming into a metal creature, blending body horror with industrial aesthetics in a visceral, experimental style.

Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film with a budget of less than $10,

Description: Gaspar Noé's film takes viewers on a psychedelic trip through the afterlife, using innovative camera work to simulate the perspective of a soul floating through Tokyo's neon-lit streets.

Fact: The film was shot over three years, with some scenes requiring up to 15 takes to get the right effect. Noé used a custom-built camera rig to achieve the floating POV shots.

Description: This Greek film by Yorgos Lanthimos depicts a family where the children are kept in isolation, creating their own language and understanding of the world, resulting in a deeply unsettling experience.

Fact: The film was Greece's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival.