Skip To Content

    The 20 Funniest Banned Commercials

    Unlike every other one of these lists you've seen, this one only features real ads that were banned.

    1. Ihr Optiker (German optician)

    View this video on YouTube

    "Need glasses?"

    Via Germany. Banned in 2006.

    2. Créme D'or

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Switzerland. Banned in 2004.

    Simulating a BJ pretty much guarantees a banning.

    3. Bunker Satis-Fashion footwear

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Spain. Banned in 2006.

    Likewise, simulating masturbation will get your spot ejected.

    4. Durex (for a hundred million reasons)

    View this video on YouTube

    Via The UK. Banned in 2000.

    5. Hansaplast condoms

    View this video on YouTube

    Via France. Banned in 2004.

    6. Yellow Pages (shark)

    View this video on YouTube

    Via The Netherlands. Banned in 1999.

    7. Yellow Pages (haircut)

    View this video on YouTube

    Via The UK. Banned in 2004.

    8. Slim Milk

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Thailand. Banned in 2010.

    9. Toyota

    View this video on YouTube

    This RAV4 War of the Roses spot via New Zealand was banned in 2006 because it was deemed "offensive and malicious," and "would encourage similar behavior."

    10. Hyundai Veloster.

    View this video on YouTube

    Via The Netherlands. Banned in 2011.

    Pretty obvious why this spot was banned.

    11. Companhia Athletica

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Brazil. Banned in 2006.

    12. Toohey's beer

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Australia. Banned in 2007.

    13. Hyundai

    View this video on YouTube

    Via France. Banned in 2006.

    Quite surprised the liberal French banned this.

    The banning of gay-themed ads has been very arbitrary, worldwide.

    14. Espressen (newspaper)

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Sweden. Banned in 1994.

    15. Deutsche Postbank

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Germany. Banned in 2005.

    16. Heineken

    View this video on YouTube

    Via The UK. Banned in 2006 by England's stuffy ASA.

    Remember when Heineken did funny ads that didn't insult your fucking intelligence?

    (I'm looking at you, stupid, sexist "walk-in" fridge spot)

    17. Birra Moretti Zero

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Spain. Banned in 2006.

    18. BC Lions football

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Canada. Banned in 2005.

    19. Soesman language training

    View this video on YouTube

    Via The Netherlands. Banned in 2001.

    20. Vim cleaning cream (my favorite ever banned ad).

    View this video on YouTube

    Via Canada.

    Spot won a Gold Lion at Cannes in 2005.

    Banned the same year.

    It's a fucking brilliant commercial.