Movie Rating System 101: How Does It Work?
Movies are a great way to escape the everyday world and enter into a new one full of adventure, drama, comedy, and excitment. Whether you’re going out with friends or family, or just by yourself, movies are a great way to enjoy yourself and learn something new.
People have different opinions on what makes a good movie. Some might think that an exciting plot with lots of action is critical, while others might even argue that the quality of a movie depends on how well it’s made, with great cinematography and acting.
One thing most people can agree on is the importance of movie ratings to ensure that people can undeerstand what they and in many cases their children may see during the film and whether it is appropriate for them or not.But, how do those ratings get determined in the first place? Continue reading to find out.
Why Do We Have A Rating System For Movies?
Movie ratings serve many purposes. For example, they provide parents with advanced information about the content of movies. It helps them determine what movies are appropriate for their children. They also consider violence, sex, language, and drug use to assign them a rating.
Facts About Movie RatingRated by parents
A selected parent’s board determines film ratings. They are chosen to represent the diversity of American parents. Their rating is based on what they believe would be the majority view of other parents.
Rated according to their context
Raters judge a film’s appropriateness for their kids, considering it has themes and content such as language, violence, nudity, sex, and drug use. Factors like these are considered in context when a final rating and rating descriptor are assigned to a film.
It does not determine its quality.
The ratings are not meant to approve, disapprove or censor any movie. Instead, ratings offer guidance to parents regarding the level of content in a film.
Voluntary decision
Submitting a movie to be rated is a voluntary decision made by filmmakers. So, it’s possible you can find some movie listings without any ratings.
Film Ratings
Films are rated by the following federally registered certification marks.
F – Family: This category of films is viewable for all ages. This rating does not signify a film designed specifically for children. However, most parents may let younger children watch this film unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
PG – Parental Discretion: The content description implies age suitability. This category of films contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Many parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The theme itself may call for parental guidance and/or contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D).
PD-M – Parental Discretion – Mature: This category of films is for people above 13 years of age. PD-M is thus a sterner warning to parents to determine the attendance in particular of their younger children as some material may not be suited for them. By this rating, parents are alerted to be very careful about the attendance of their under-teenage children. A PD-M film is one which, in the view of the Rating Board, leaps beyond the boundaries in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, or other contents.
EM – Extremely Mature: All films under this category are suitable for people above the age of 17. These films are specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17. These films contain one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L).
AO – Adults Only: This category of films is strictly for people of 18 years and above. Films rated as AO may contain intense violence and/or strong sexual content and nudity.
NR – Not Rated: Films that are not submitted to rating will carry the label NR (Not Rated) or Unrated.
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