The NC-17 rating replaced the X rating when it became associated with adult films. Some controversial mainstream films, recently, barely made the cut.

With the coming release of Netflix's unapologetic NC-17 rated Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde, the time might be right to look back at some other well-known films that were once in danger of being given the dreaded NC-17 rating, considered the kiss of death for box office success.

The NC-17 rating was created to replace the X rating when it became associated with the adult film industry. Some of these films that were eventually downgraded are highly regarded by movie buffs and some have become cult classics. In the age of director's cuts, the early versions of these films might someday see the light of day.

American Pie (1999)

The iconic image of Jason Biggs ruining an apple pie might have been more graphic had it not been objected to by the Hollywood elite. Biggs' character, Jim, had made a pact with his high school buddies to lose his virginity by prom night and used the pie as an experiment to test his longevity. That is until his dad "caught him."

The Motion Picture Association of America, which oversees the ratings process, advised losing a few shots of Biggs visibly thrusting the pie. The teen comedy that was followed up by several sequels, also had some steamy scenes involving self-gratification and alternative forms of sex all of which were deemed acceptable.

American Psycho (2000)

Patrick Bateman's mentally challenged personality was portrayed by Christian Bale as a normal Wall Street executive during the day but unable to curb his murderous urges in the presence of those he deemed undesirable.

The extreme violent murders committed by Bateman in American Psycho weren't the main concern of the MPAA when it came time to rate it. The scene in question involved two female prostitutes and Bateman admiring himself in the mirror while engaging in the deed whilst Phil Collins music played in the background.

Basic Instinct (1992)

Paul Verhoeven films like Robocop and Total Recall towed the line between the X and NC-17 rating for their graphic violent content. In Basic Instinct's case, however, the sexual content of the Hitchcockian-style thriller was what raised some eyebrows on the ratings board.

The famous exposure scene with Sharon Stone may be what the film is most remembered for but a scene earlier in the film implied a certain form of sex act and was sent back to Verhoeven for a final edit. The entire sequence was returned with alterations and approved.

Boggie Nights (1997)

It's no surprise a film about the adult entertainment industry pushed the boundaries of the R-rating tolerance. Boggie Nights showcased the boom period of the adult-film industry through the eyes of Dirk Diggler, played by Wahlberg, who starred alongside Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, and Heather Graham.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson cut 40 seconds of material at the request of New Line Cinema, the distributing studio, to avoid getting slapped with the NC-17 stamp. This came after a cut of the film leaked prematurely to the public with some intense explicit frames still present.

The Boondock Saints (1999)

Two brothers justify their campaign of vigilantism with their Irish-Catholic upbringing in the cult favorite The Boondock Saints. A film about such a touchy subject was bound to be the target of the MPAA in regard to its horrific and frequent graphic violence.

Certain slow-motion gunplay and blood splatter were subtracted from the original version. These deductions reappeared on a DVD release after the film garnered a loyal following, according to director Troy Duffy. Star Norman Reedus landed a lead role in the inherently violent zombie apocalypse series The Walking Dead several years later.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

The taboo adventures of the rich and elite were the subject of Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut starring the married duel of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman at the time of release. The erotic motif and frequent use of nudity naturally was scrutinized the MPAA.

Kubrick's death during post-production complicated the film's editing. Warner Brothers ordered certain frames of the swinger's party sequence dubbed over by CGI characters to hide some explicit imagery to escape the film's pending NC-17 label.

Natural Born Killers (1994)

The plot of Natural Born Killers is essentially a satire of media sensationalism. Oliver Stone's ultraviolent tale of a fugitive couple on the run, reminiscent of Bonnie & Clyde, whose crimes gain widespread news coverage, had to be heavily edited in post-production.

The ratings commission found the dark humor coupled with continuous violent imagery and mayhem offensive and demanded Stone reduce the amount. Concern arose after the film's release about copycat crimes inspired by the content.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Quentin Tarantino's crowning cinematic achievement was also heavily violent in nature, being a homage to the gangster genre which is revered by movie enthusiasts because of its fearlessness to increase the carnage. Look no further than the horse's head scene in The Godfather.

The famous scene where Vincent's gun accidentally discharged when his and Jules' car hits a bump initially depicted an exploding head. The final cut only implied it with a suitable blood splat shot. The original special effect was deemed unacceptable by the ratings committee and Tarantino was forced to change it.

The Cooler (2003)

Bernie Lootz is a man down on his luck with a thirst of gambling. Employed by the mob in control of the casino he is a manger in, his job is to disrupt the flow of luck among players until he finds himself on a winning streak stemming from a confidence boost thanks to his involvement with a cocktail waitress.

The MPAA scuffed at a close up shot of Maria Bello in the nude and the slightest hint of her character appearing satisfied with her lover played by William H. Macy. The entirety of the complaint was only a few seconds of footage but removed, nonetheless.

Summer of Sam (1999)

Based on the true story of a serial killer in 1977 New York City, Spike Lee's gut-wrenching film chronicling the events of that summer was nearly rated NC-17 until Lee toned down the violence and explicit sexuality.

Once again, for a film that emphasized the sadistic killings of a mad man, it was not the gratuitous violence nor the frank profanity in the script that raised objections but rather graphic sexual content featuring multiple characters in common adult-film positions.

NEXT: 15 Most Critically Acclaimed NC-17 Rated Films (Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes)