Buzz
If you're seeking clarity on movie ratings for your children, you've landed in the right spot. Many parents fret over the potential unsuitability of content for their kids, but fear not - the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) is here to help. Below, you'll find ratings to assist you in selecting appropriate content.
Steps
Understand that G stands for 'General Audiences.' Films rated G are deemed suitable for all audiences. They feature content that's extremely mild, devoid of anything that might offend parents allowing for viewing by children. While designed for everyone, G-rated films contain no explicit language and minimal violence.
- These films may not contain any profanity and feature mild, minimal violence.
Recognize that PG indicates 'Parental Guidance Suggested.' Films with a PG rating are suitable for general audiences aged 10 and up. While generally mild, some parents may find them unsuitable for children under 10. It's at the parents' discretion whether younger kids should view these films.
- These films may feature content generally unsuitable for younger children, including mild profanity, crude humor, occasional scary moments, and mild violence.
Understand that PG-13 or TV-14 means 'Parents Strongly Cautioned'. Films with a PG-13 rating are suitable for viewers aged 13 and older, falling between PG and R. They may include mature content such as sex references, limited strong language, drug innuendo, and moderate violence.
- These films may contain mature themes, moderately intense horror moments, and moderate action violence.
- Comparable to the 'M' classification in Australia and the '12' classification in the UK.
Understand that R means 'Restricted'. Films rated R are intended for viewers aged 17 and older, containing adult material such as mild or implied sex scenes, intense violence with blood and gore, and strong horror scenes.
- These films may feature prolonged nudity and brief/illegal drug use.
- Equivalent to the '(MA)15' rating in Australia and the UK.
Understand that NC-17 means 'Adults Only'. Films rated NC-17 are strictly for viewers aged 18 and older, containing explicit content including graphic violence, sex scenes, and explicit language.
- These films may depict extreme violence, graphic sexual nudity, and explicit language.
- Equivalent to the (R)18 rating in Australia and the UK.
Tips
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Visit Common Sense for additional reviews.
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When purchasing or renting a movie, check the rating on the case for descriptors.
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While rated R movies are aimed at ages 17 and up, certain films like American Sniper, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge, and Fury convey positive messages.
Considerations
- Some movies may lack MPAA ratings initially, possibly labeled as NR. Verify the appropriateness of such films individually. Those without MPAA ratings are sometimes denoted as 'unrated'.
