Moms Guide To Movie Ratings

Summer is synonymous with blockbuster movies, and the summer of 2018 has been no different! This summer has seen the release of Incredibles 2, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. My kiddo is also super-stoked about the upcoming Teen Titans Go! To the Movies and Dog Days. 

While it seems safe enough to judge a movie by its trailer, this is not always the case. After all, Deadpool is definitely NOT another superhero movie, and Sausage Party isn’t just another cartoon movie for kids. The fall-out from these movies shines light on the importance of parents researching the films their child(ren) are watching–whether they’re 3 or 13.

The Motion Picture Association of America

The Motion Picture Association of America (or MPAA) created the movie rating system to help caregivers make decisions about the movies their children intend to watch. Operating independently from the MPAA, the Classification and Ratings Administration (or CARA) is a board of parents that determines the rating of a movie as either G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17. The board evaluates the film based on its themes, language, violence, nudity, sexuality, and drug activity and assigns it a rating based on what the board believes most American parents would find “suitable” for their offspring. A rating descriptor oftentimes follows the rating.

So, what exactly do the ratings mean? Here’s a breakdown:

G: General Audiences.

All Ages Admitted.

A film with this rating contains nothing of offense. For instance, it will have no bad language, nudity, sex, drug use, or violence. Films with a G rating include The Lion King and Finding Nemo.

PG: Parental Guidance Suggested.

Some Materials Might Not Be Suitable for Children.

A film with this rating should be researched by parents before viewing. This rating suggests some material may not be appropriate for children. The film might include some profanity and violent scenes or brief periods of nudity. A PG rating, though, will have no scenes depicting drug use. Films with a PG rating include Incredibles 2 and Finding Dory.

PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned.

Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.

A film with this rating might contain more than brief nudity, but it will not be sexual in nature. Violence may be realistic and extreme or may be persistent, but not both. The film uses no more than one harsh expletive. (More than one expletive requires an R rating.) The film may or may not show drug use. Films with this rating include Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Black Panther.

R: Restricted.

Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.

A film with this rating contains adult material, including harsh language, graphic violence, nudity, drug use and/or abuse. Children under 17 will not be allowed to view the film unless accompanied by an adult. Before viewing this film, the caregiver is highly encouraged to research the movie. Films with this rating include Deadpool and Stephen King’s It.

NC-17: No One 17 and Under Admitted.

A film with this rating is not appropriate for children or anyone 17 and under. No children will be admitted, even if accompanied by an adult. Films with this rating include Showgirls and Crash.

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is a wonderful resource for parents to research movies, both old and new titles. It is similar to the MPAA and CARA in that it rates movies for age appropriateness; however, Common Sense Media goes a step further and also rates movies for learning potential. The organization’s “leading authorities” use developmental criteria to determine the age appropriateness of a movie.

Each film is assigned a “youngest appropriate age” and is given an overall ranking, ranging from 5 stars (The Best!) to 1 star (Don’t Bother). The movie is further ranked on a scale from 1 to 5 according to its educational value, evidence of a positive message, positive role models and representations, violence and/or scariness, sex, language, consumerism, and drinking, drugs, & smoking.

In addition, the site includes reviews and recommendations for age appropriateness provided by parents and kids. The review goes on to answer important questions such as: What do parents need to know about the film? What’s the story of the movie? Is the movie any good? Perhaps the greatest feature of this website is the parent resources, which includes talking points for each film.

For more information about MPAA ratings and CARA, visit FilmRatings.com, and for additional information about Common Sense Media or to view specific movie reviews, visit Common Sense Media.org.