What Movie Ratings Mean

What most people mean when they refer to the movie rating system is the system used by the Motion Picture Association. This system has been around the longest and is the most well known as well as being the most frequently used and recognized. Although it’s not required for movie producers to use the movie rating system, almost all do. In most cases, movies that make it to movie theaters have been rated.

G- General Audience. Movies that carry this rating are deemed appropriate for all ages. There should be little or no violence, no nudity, no sex and no drug use. There may be a alcohol or tobacco use, but this is uncommon. Often, it’s assumed that G rated means kid movie, and while this is often the case, it’s not necessarily so.

PG- Parental Guidance Suggested. These are often still movies aimed at children, although the content can have some more adult themes and contain cursing, violence or even brief nudity.

PG-13- Parents Strongly Cautioned. This rating is to let parents know that the content of movies with this rating may be too adult for kids under thirteen. These movies can have scenes depicting drug use, bad language or sex. These movies might also contain more graphic violence than PG or G movies.

R- Restricted. To get into a movie rated R, teenagers under seventeen must have a parent or guardian with them. These movies have adult themes and material, and can have swearing, violence, sex, drug use and/or nudity. In other words, don’t go see an R rated movie with your mom unless you want to have some awkward moments in the theater.

NC-17- No One Under 17 Admitted. These are the most graphic movies that are normally shown in regular theaters. These movies contain the most graphic violence or sex, as well as drug use. In general, movies rated NC-17 can show the poorest kind of behavior you can imagine.

Knowing what different movie ratings mean can help you choose a movie that's appropriate for the situation and audience and help to avoid those "What was I thinking?" moments.