What to Expect with MPAA Ratings

The rating system was created in 1968 to replace the Hays Code, a strict set of guidelines that dictated what could be shown in mainstream movies. While the general idea is the same in 2026, the way it's implemented is enormously different. The M rating was PG's precursor, replaced in 1972 to differentiate itself from the R rating. But structure is not the only difference. Throughout the past 58 years, what gets a certain rating has shifted based on audience perception and how that influences marketing. Since studios created the system, they have financial incentives to shift with the industry. So think of the MPAA not as a moral authority, but rather an indicator of target audience. Please note that the rating system is notoriously inconsistent, leading to exceptions that contradict this guide.



G: GENERAL AUDIENCES: All Ages Admitted

Before ~1977: Hays Code Era - Not necessarily for kids, but would have been approved before the rating system existed. May contain:
  • Offscreen violence
  • Mild language
  • Subtle adult references

    • Examples: "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Planet of the Apes"

    ~1977 to ~2001: Classic Kids Era - Aimed at kids. May still contain:
  • Cartoonish violence
  • Toilet humor

    • Examples: "The Muppet Movie", "The Land Before Time"

    Since ~2001: Bubble-Wrapped Era - Contains virtually nothing offensive.

    Examples: "Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie", "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"

    WHY? Even though G-rated movies initially were comparable to the Hays Code, the rating was quickly stigmatized as "baby stuff". When "Star Wars" reshaped the film industry, studios had a financial incentive to broaden PG to accommodate a wider range of movies. Throughout the 80's and 90's, G was designated for children's material, but when the PG-rated "Shrek" put DreamWorks on the map and challenged Disney's dominance, it became lucrative for animation as a whole to shift away from G, thus reducing it to hardly anything.

    PG: PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED: Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children

    Before 1984: Warning Era - Parents should decide if their kid is ready to see the movie. May contain:
  • Stylized violence or gore
  • Moderate language
  • Offscreen sex or drug use
  • Adult references
  • Non-frontal nudity

    • Examples: "Jaws", "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

    1984 to ~1992: Old Blockbuster Era - Made more palatable to a wide audience, but may still contain:
  • Light violence
  • Moderate language
  • Offscreen sex or drug use
  • Adult references

    • Examples: "Back to the Future", "Top Gun"

    ~1992 to ~2001: Family Era - Aimed at children, but with appeal for adults. May contain:
  • Harmless or infrequent action
  • Mild or infrequent language
  • Subtle or infrequent adult references

    • Examples: "Casper", "Jumanji"

    Since ~2001: Modern Kids Era - Clearly for kids, but may contain:
  • Cartoonish or harmless action
  • Mild language
  • Subtle adult references
  • Toilet humor

    • Examples: "The Incredibles", "Despicable Me"

    WHY? PG was originally a warning, but when it became commercialized in the late 70's, parents began misinterpreting what it meant. After "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" caused outrage over its intensity, PG-13 was created as a midpoint between PG and R in 1984. For the next several years, a PG rating still allowed a fair amount of adult content. But studios quickly realized that they could make more money by pushing the envelope. When "Batman Returns" caused controversy over its PG-13 rating, PG was bumped down to family-friendly movies to make room for an increasingly sterile PG-13. When the Disney Renaissance ended, mature subject matter was adapted for small children in order to keep up with the industry. That's why PG became the de-facto "kids" rating.


    PG-13: PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED: Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13

    1984 to ~1992: Strong Warning Era - A more intense warning for parents to consider the maturity of their child. May contain:
  • Intense violence
  • Stylized gore
  • Brief strong language
  • Non-glorified drug use
  • Non-sexual nudity
  • Adult themes

    • Examples: "Red Dawn", "Weird Science"

    ~1992 to ~2004: New Blockbuster Era - Made palatable for a wide audience, but may contain:
  • Intense or frequent violence, but little to no gore
  • Brief strong language
  • Frequent moderate language
  • Offscreen sex or drug use
  • Adult themes

    • Examples: "The Mask", "Batman Forever"

    Since ~2004: Everything Shoehorned Era - Uses strategic editing to maximize creative territory without backlash. May contain:
  • Violence that avoids gore using cutaways
  • Moderate or brief strong language
  • Partial nudity
  • Drug use or sex scenes using cutaways
  • Adult references or themes

    • Examples: "Live Free or Die Hard", "Terminator Salvation"

    WHY? PG-13 was originally meant for movies that toed the line between PG and R. But by the late 80's, studios had realized they could make money by taking PG properties and shifting them in a darker direction. This changed perception of what the rating meant, from "Parents Strongly Cautioned" to "Summer Blockbuster Material". Children began flocking to movies that were too intense for them, which reached its breaking point with "Batman Returns". As a result, studios lightened the rating to the point that it resembled what PG used to be. After the 2004 Super Bowl incident with Janet Jackson, there was a push for R-rated properties to be made PG-13, causing the awkward editing you see today. Thus, PG-13 has absorbed PG and R, rather than bridging the gap.


    R: RESTRICTED: Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guardian

    Before 1984: General Adult Era - Aimed at a mature audience. May contain:
  • Realistic violence or gore
  • Strong language
  • Full frontal nudity
  • Sex scenes or onscreen drug use
  • Adult themes

    • Examples: "Blazing Saddles", "Halloween"

    1984 to ~1992: Edgy Adult Era - Contains content too extreme for a wide audience. May contain:
  • Persistent strong language
  • Realistic gore
  • Sexualized nudity
  • Glorified drug use

    • Examples: "The Fly", "RoboCop"

    ~1992 to ~2004: Panic Era - Not commercially viable for younger audiences. May contain:
  • Persistent strong language
  • Gore or nudity
  • Sex scenes or drug use

    • Examples: "The Frighteners", "The Matrix"

    Since ~2004: Forbidden Era - Contains content that can't be worked around. May contain:
  • Persistent strong language
  • Onscreen gore, nudity, sex, or drug use

    • Examples: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", "Poor Things"

    WHY? PG-13's creation in 1984 caused movies that would have been R to be given the new rating, designating R to more explicit material. However, when PG-13 became more commercialized in the 90's, the R rating did some backsliding, taking directors by surprise when they failed to get a PG-13 for films such as "Army of Darkness", despite featuring fantasy violence with minimal gore. After the 2004 Super Bowl incident, PG-13's dominance caused studios to avoid the R rating unless they were working with prestige films or franchises built on gore or nudity. So the R rating has flip-flopped between a general indicator of maturity and a warning for graphic content.


    NC-17: NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED

    Contains adult content that studios are uncomfortable with.

    Examples: "This Film is Not Yet Rated", "Blue is the Warmest Color"

    WHY? NC-17 was created in 1990 to replace the X rating, which had come to be associated with porn. But after a few years, NC-17 became a cultural shorthand for X, causing studios to avoid it like the plague. The MPAA is notorious for arbitrarily assigning NC-17 ratings, largely based on what they interpret as exploitative. The difference between an R and an NC-17 could be a few seconds of a sex scene or graphic murder. Many movie theaters don't show NC-17 movies, and many TV stations don't market them, making the rating even less visible than G.


    NR: NOT RATED

    Covers most foreign, direct-to-video, and pre-1968 movies, as well as director's cuts.

    Examples: "A Better Tomorrow", "Christmas Coupon"

    WHY? The US rating system didn't exist until 1968, and hasn't bothered to rate foreign movies unless they have an American distributor. When a movie is released directly to video, directors don't have to worry about box office. So they can opt out of the voluntary censorship system. Please note that all kinds of material is designated to NR, whether or not it's family-friendly.