‘Deep Throat’ Named Landmark Film

LONDON — When “Deep Throat” hit movie theaters in the summer of 1972, Screw Magazine’s Al Goldstein gave it a glowing review, 23 states banned it, and it went on to become the highest-grossing adult movie of its time.

Who knew that it would ever make the same list as “Citizen Kane,” “Vertigo” and “Pulp Fiction”?

Radio Times magazine, a BBC publication, named “Deep Throat” to a list of 100 landmark films that had a large cultural impact. Other movies on the list include “The Birth of a Nation,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Blade Runner” and “Brokeback Mountain.”

According to Radio Times, “Deep Throat” was the worst movie to make the list, but it took “porn out of the back room and into the cinema.”

Fenton Bailey, co-director of the 2005 documentary “Inside Deep Throat,” wholeheartedly agrees with the blue movie’s inclusion on the list, asserting that it changed the landscape of adult entertainment and sexuality.

“It’s a very important movie,” Bailey told XBIZ. “It captures so many ideas from the sexual revolution, and one of its unintended consequences is that it marked the end of the sexual revolution and the beginning of the commodification of sex and sexuality.”

“Deep Throat” was also the most profitable adult movie of its time, and one of the most profitable adult movies ever. Box office experts dispute its final tally, but even conservative estimates put the total gross at more than $100 million.

“It woke everyone up,” Bailey said. “They said, ‘Oh, my god! There's gold in porn!’”

But, despite the amount of money it made, does it really belong on the same list as “Citizen Kane” and “Vertigo”?

Bailey said yes.

“‘Deep Throat’ is a far more important movie than ‘Citizen Kane’ or ‘Pulp Fiction,’” Bailey said. “Those movies were great artistic statements, but they had no impact on the culture. We live in the porn age, and it's seeping into every aspect of our lives.”

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

BranditScan Rolls Out 'UrLinks' Platform Feature

BranditScan has introduced its new UrLinks homepage feature for creators.

UK Outlaws Content Featuring Choking, Adults Portraying Children

The U.K.’s Crime and Policing Bill received final passage in Parliament on Monday, including provisions criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation” as well as sexual content in which adults portray children.

Grooby Launches 30th Anniversary Campaign

Grooby is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a showcase campaign featuring 30 of the studio's newest models.

Island Conference Joins ASACP as Media Sponsor

Island Conference has signed on as an in-kind media sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Elly Clutch, Girthmasterr to Host 2026 XMA Creator Awards

XBIZ is pleased to announce Elly Clutch and Girthmasterr as co-hosts of the 2026 XMA Creator Awards, presented by premium creator platform Fansly.

FSC: TAKE IT DOWN Act Provisions Take Effect May 19

The Free Speech Coalition has issued a reminder notice that the notice-and-removal requirements of the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act will go into effect on May 19.

Venus Berlin Joins ASACP as Media Sponsor

Venus Berlin has signed on as an in-kind media sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out; Additional Hotel Added

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Goodtime Hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Penthouse Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has ruled in favor of Penthouse World Media in a case against a website using an infringing domain.

'Collective Corruption' Relaunches Through PAYSITE

Fetish and BDSM membership site Collective Corruption has relaunched through PAYSITE.

Show More