Motion Picture Association of America film rating system

The Motion Picture Association of America film rating system is a system used by the MPAA. It can help parents choose which movies their children can watch.

Ratings

Current (since 1990) MPAA movie ratings are:

Rating symbol	Meaning
	G- General Audiences All ages admitted (1968-present) (Equivalent: Videogames: EC, E; Television: TV-Y, TV-G)
	PG- Parental Guidance Suggested Some material may not be suitable for children (1972-present) (Equivalent: Videogames: E10+; Television: TV-Y7, TV-Y7-FV, TV-PG)
	PG-13- Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13 (1984-present) (Equivalent: Videogames: T; Television: TV-14)
	R- Restricted Under 17 requires accompanying by a parent or an adult guardian (1968-present) (Equivalent: Videogames: M; Television: Low TV-MA)
	NC-17- No One 17 and Under Admitted (1990–present) (Equivalent: Videogames: AO; Television: High TV-MA)

NC-17

The NC-17 rating means that no children aged 17 and under will be admitted to any movie which is under this rating. The rating was initiated in 1990 after the earlier X rating they had created 22 years before had become associated with pornography. Unfortunately, the NC-17 rating went on to acquire stigma: movie stores like Blockbuster wouldn't stock movies under such a rating, certain movie chains would not show such movies and some papers refused advertisements for such movies. Certain movie companies will often surrender an NC-17 rating and release a movie with no rating whatsoever; others release movies without a rating if they are expecting such an MPAA rating. Notable motion pictures under an NC-17 classification include Henry & June (1990) and Showgirls (1995).

Old Ratings

The old movie ratings, which were in use 1968 to 1990 were:

• Rated M: - Suggested for Mature Audiences. Parental discretion advised.
• Rated GP - Guidance Parental. May contain some suggestive content.
• Rated X: - No on under 17 admitted.