How to Understand Movie Ratings

Co-authored by João Homem

Last Updated: October 11, 2024 References

If you want to know the ratings for your kids then you have come to the right place. Many parents are worried if the content contains unsuitable material for their children, but the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) then came to save the day. See below the ratings to help you choose the right ratings.^{[1]
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Rated “G”

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Know that “G” means “General Audiences.” Films rated G have content in which the board believes is suitable for general audiences. Films rated G are extremely mild in nature of their content and contain nothing that would offend parents for viewing by children. Although because the content is very mild, films rated G are not designed for children, its designed for everyone.^{[2]
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- These films may not contain rude language and no serious cursing. As with violence it must be mild and minimal.

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Rated “PG”

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Know that “PG” means “Parental Guidance Suggested.” Films rated PG have content in which the board believes is suitable for general audiences aged 10 and older. Films rated PG are often mild but some parents may find the film unsuitable for younger children under the age of 10 and it's up to them to decide whether their kids should watch the film or not.^{[3]
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- These films may be generally inappropriate for younger children and may contain milder swear words, crude or suggestive humor, short and infrequent horror moments and/or mild violence.

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Rated “PG-13” or “TV-14”

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Know that PG-13 or TV-14 means “Parents Strongly Cautioned.” Films rated PG-13 have content in which the board believes is suitable for viewers aged 13 and older. Films rated PG-13 are between the PG and R rating. PG-13 may go beyond the PG rating, but does not go higher than R.^{[4]
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- These films may contain sex references, up to four uses of strong language, drug innuendo, strong crude/suggestive humor, mature/suggestive themes, moderately long horror moments, blood, and/or moderate action violence.
- This is the equivalent of the "M" classification in Australia, and the "12" classification in the UK.^{[5]
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Rated “R”

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Know that “R” means “Restricted.” Films rated R have content in which the board believes is suitable for viewers aged 17 and older. Films rated R contain SOME adult material and is intended for mature audiences. Children under the age of 17 may rent, buy, exhibit, or view if accompanied by a parent or guardian.^{[6]
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- These films may contain mild or implied sex scenes, prolonged nudity, intense violence often with blood and gore, strong horror scenes and brief/illegal/prolonged drug use.
- This is the equivalent of the "(MA)15" rating in Australia and the UK.^{[7]
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Rated “NC-17”

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Know that “NC-17” means “Adults Only.” Films rated NC-17 have content in which the board believes is suitable only for viewers aged 18 and older. NC-17 rated films are CLEARLY adult movies. Children under 18 are not legally admitted to rated NC-17 films even if they are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.^{[8]
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- These films may contain strong and extreme graphic or explicit violence with bloodshed, pain, dismemberment, death and a very large amount of blood and gore, sex scenes, explicit content, rape or sexual assault, depraved, aberrational behavior, graphic sexual nudity, explicit language or any other elements which that are not suitable for children and strictly prohibited from viewing by minors.
- This is the equivalent of the (R)18 rating in Australia and the UK.

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I have never heard of a movie rated NC-17. What is it?

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These movies feature extreme content, and are not usually shown in theaters. They might feature intense, realistic, and gratuitous violence, like Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, or they might feature lengthy scenes of explicit sex, such as Verhoeven's Turkish Delight. These films used to be called "X-rated" films, and, while there are some good ones (two are listed here), it is good to know what you're getting into before watching one. Treat these on an individual basis, and do your research before watching them, especially if you plan to watch one with others.

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What does AT mean in movie rating?

Sarah

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AT is not a movie rating, so AT doesn't mean anything in regards to movie ratings.

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What if I want to watch a movie from another country but I can't find the rating?

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It's best to look around on lots of websites. If you still can't find anything, perhaps ask around (maybe online).

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Tips

Go to Common Sense to look up their reviews.

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When buying or renting a movie check the rating behind the case all the way down, and there should be a rating and its descriptors.

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Although rated R movies are suitable for ages 17 and up, American Sniper, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and Fury show positive messages.

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Warnings

Some films are not rated by the MPAA, meaning it could be rated NR first. Check the movie to see if it's appropriate. Other releases that were not given a rating by the MPAA are sometimes classified as "unrated".

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