Rules for R-rated movies according to the MPAA

Films can be a respite from the daily toil of work and family lives. When you have children, though, choosing a film can become a complex endeavor. One must understand the rating system, potential content, and more.

Fortunately, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) can help to clarify what films may be acceptable for your children. Below, we’ll take a look at the various ratings offered, parental responsibility involved, and additional factors necessary to choose the best possible film for you and your young ones.

What Does It All Mean?

For a better understanding of the rating process and what it means for younger kids, the MPAA website offers detailed information to help parents make better-informed decisions on which films to see.

• G — This is for general audiences. Thus, the film will contain nothing that could be found to be offensive to parents with young children. These films, and those in the PG category, are great choices for a family movie nights with kids.
• PG — This simply means that parental guidance is suggested by the MPAA. Some of the material found within the film may not be suitable for younger children, with potential for mature themes, slight profanity, and more cartoonish violence, as well. According to the MPAA, there will be no drug use in a PG film.
• PG-13 — This is parents strongly cautioned, which means that there will be content that some will deem inappropriate for children under the age of 13. Any drug use found within the picture will automatically warrant the PG-13 moniker. More than brief nudity will also necessitate the MPAA to use this rating. There may also be violence, language, and sexual situations.
• R — Quite simple, restricted. The MPAA states the rules for r rated movies are that anyone under the age of 17 will require an accompanying parent or adult guardian in order to gain admittance to the film. Taken from the MPAA website, the R means the film may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, sexually-oriented nudity, intense or persistent violence, drug abuse, or other such adult-oriented activities.
• NC-17 — No one under the age of 17 will be admitted

Parental Responsibility

The rules for R-rated movies are put in place so that parents can make the right decisions when it comes to what their children are watching. At almost all theaters, parents will need to accompany any minors under the age of 17. This means an adult will need to:

• Purchase tickets for the film
• Escort them into the theater
• And watch the film with the minor/s

According to the MPAA and individual theater guidelines, a parent or guardian cannot simply buy a ticket and send the moviegoers in to watch the film. They will need to accompany them and watch the movie in its entirety.

Now, with the guidelines in place, it’s important for the parent or guardian to understand what type of material might be in the film, what’s suitable for their child to see, and what maturity level they may be at in order to enjoy and comprehend the film. The MPAA will suggest that parents take a look at the rating for a particular movie in order to help them understand the type of content that may be involved in the picture.

Factors to Help You Decide on a Film

First, the MPAA suggests that you should rarely (basically, never) take young children to restricted films. This makes sense as to the content, as well as you wouldn’t want children interrupting the film for other patrons.

In terms of an extended film rating, FilmRatings.com offers a wide variety of potential films and their extended ratings in order to help parents better understand the content. Let’s take a look at a few examples below of extended ratings, shall we?

For example, Magic Mike contains pervasive sexual content, brief graphic nudity, language, and some drug use. In the movie Savages, there is strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use, and language throughout. So, when the MPAA extended rating goes on for about five pages, you probably know it may not be the best film to bring your 3-year-old to. Instead, try Brave, or a Disney/Pixar film meant for children as a better fit.

For more information on ratings, head over to the MPAA.org site to learn the best ways to find the perfect films for you and your family.

Resources:

Made Man: Rated R Movie Ticket Rules.

MPAA.org: What Each Rating Means.

Above photo attributed to Sarah_Ackerman