The movie industry is a huge industry and different kinds of movies and series are produced one after the other. Movies and series are made for different kinds of audiences,s for instance, animated movies are mostly for kids, and horror movies are mostly for people above the age of 16 or 18, but it also depends on what kind of horror movie or series it is. As I said, it is a huge industry that caters to a vast and diverse audience.
This is considered the biggest problem among parents, as they don’t want to expose their kids to something they are not ready for. Because of this, most parents refrain their kids from watching any kind of movie or series.
Although, there is a way that can help you to know if the movie or the series is appropriate for a certain age.
Rating is an aspect that is given by the rating board, this way you’ll know if the movie is made for kids or adults.
Check out the video to gain more knowledge on different rating:
There are movies or series that are rated as TV-MA, some are rated R, and there are a few that aren’t rated which are labeled as Unrated.
The difference between TV-MA and rated R movies is that TV-MA rated movies or series are not supposed to be watched by the children who are under the age of 17 and Rated R is the rating that movies and series have that are viewed by adults and can be watched by children who are under the age of 17, but they need to be accompanied by a parent or an Adult Guardian.
Unrated movies are movies that aren’t rated by the rating board; therefore it is almost impossible to know what kind of audience can watch them.
Keep reading to know more.
Page Contents
What does TV-MA mean?
TV-MA is a rating and ‘MA’ stands for a mature audience. When a movie, series, or program has this rating, it is preferred to be viewed by adults who are over the age of 17.
Movies and series sometimes have content that is only preferred to be watched by adults and there are ratings to tell you if a certain movie or series has such content.
Moreover, there are cartoons that are TV-MA like, Rick & Morty. This kind of series contains mature content, even though it is a cartoon series.
TV-MA rating is most common in American television. This rating shows that the content is not suited for children aged 17 or younger. There are many other ratings, but TV-MA rated has much more intensity. Although, it depends on the network the movie or series is being aired on.
HBO programs contain content that has more strong language, violence, and nudity compared to basic cable networks.
What does Rated R mean?
‘R’ in Rated R stands for Restricted, movies or series that are rated R can be watched by adults and can also be watched by children under 17, but a parent or an adult guardian needs to accompany them.
This rating shows that the film has adult content, for instance, harsh language, graphic violence, nudity or drug abuse.
If the rated R film is being viewed in the theaters, as a parent you don’t need to worry because they have policies for such movies.
Kids who look older than they actually sometimes try to weasel their way into the theaters, but they don’t succeed because there is a policy of checking IDs. Moreover, if the kid is under 17, only an adult is allowed to buy the tickets for them, an adult guardian is necessary for children under 17 in theatres for an R-rated movie.
What do you mean by Unrated?
Movies, programs, or series that don’t have any ratings are called “Unrated“. As it isn’t rated, it might contain all of its content, whether it is nudity, drug abuse, or bad language.
There are a huge number of films and programs that aren’t rated. When a film or program isn’t rated, it contains all the scenes that will be deleted if it goes through the rating board.
When a film or program goes through the rating board, even though it can be rated as R or TV-MA, there will be many edits.
Is Unrated worse than TV-MA?
Yes, unrated is worse than TV-MA, unrated films or series have all the scenes that the rating board would delete.
When a film goes through the rating board, there are many cuts and edits made, but when it doesn’t go through the rating board, the content has no edits or cuts, it remains as it is.
Unrated content is unfiltered which means, it has all kinds of substances, nudity, and violence, and with much more intensity.
In children’s case, films or series that contain TV-MA or are unrated aren’t supposed to be for child audiences. Although TV-MA goes through the rating board, it still contains substances that shouldn’t be watched by children.
What is higher than Rated R?
NC-17 is the highest rating, which means it is higher than Rated R.
Rated R itself is quite high, but there is a rating that is the highest rating that a movie or series can get.
NC-17 rated films are solely preferred to be watched by adults who are over the age of 18. If a movie or series has an NC-17 rating, it means that it has the most amount of nudity, substance, or physical/mental violence.
Rated R films can be watched by children under 17 but with the condition of an accompanying adult guardian, but NC-17 is much worse which is why can be viewed by adults only.
Here is a table for some of the ratings other than R and TV-MA.
| Rating | Meaning |
| Rated G | General Audience. It means that all ages can watch the content. |
| Rated PG | Parental Guidance. Some material can be unsuitable for children; therefore adult guidance is required. |
| Rated PG-13 | Parents strongly cautioned. Some of the material can be inappropriate for children who are under the age of 13. |
| Rated M | For a mature audience. Parents discretions is strongly advised for the children under 18. |
What is the point of TV ratings?
TV ratings are used in marketing and advertising. In this way, the production knows what the audience prefers the most so that they can deliver the material that the audiences enjoy.
To an average person, the notion of rating a movie or series might seem meaningless, but it helps the production in an extreme way.
To Conclude
There are different ratings for different kinds of material, some of them are:
- Rated R
- Rated PG
- Rated G
- TV-MA
- NC-17
When movies or series have ratings, it shows what audience is allowed to watch them and what kind f material it contains.
The difference is, TV-MA rated material isn’t preferred to be watched by the children under the age of 17 and Rated R movies and series can be viewed by adults and can also be watched by children who are over the age of 17, but they’re required to be accompanied by a parent or an Adult Guardian as it can have some inappropriate material.
‘MA’ in TV-MA stands for a mature audience. When a movie or series has this rating, it is preferred to be viewed by adults who are over the age of 17.
‘R’ in Rated R stands for Restricted, movies or series that are rated R can be watched by adults and by children under 17, but a parent or an adult guardian needs to accompany them.
Programs that aren’t rated any rating are called unrated. As it isn’t rated, it will have all of its content, whether it is nudity, drug abuse, or bad language. Unrated is considered worse than TV-MA because it has all the scenes that the rating board would delete. Basically, Unrated content is unfiltered which means no edits or cuts are made.
NC-17 rated programs are preferred to be watched by adults who are over the age of 18. NC-17 rating is much higher than Rated R or TV-MA, which means that it has the most amount of nudity, substance, or physical/mental violence.
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FAQs
Is TV-MA the same as R-rated? ›
R is merely the second extreme rating for television, whereas TV-MA is the most extreme. TV-MA is worse than R because it contains both R and NC-17-rated material. R is OK for viewers under 17 as long as they're accompanied by an adult, but TV-MA is never appropriate for viewers under 18.
Is R-rated worse than M? ›Rated G: Suggested for general audiences. Rated M: Suggested for mature audiences - Parental discretion advised. Rated R: Restricted – Persons under 16 not admitted, unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian. Rated X: Persons under 16 not admitted.
Is 18+ the same as Rated R? ›Adults (18+): Recommended for adults ages 18 and up. Equivalent to R, NC-17, NR, and UR (MPA) and TV-MA (TV).
What is TV-MA rating? ›TV-MA - these programs are intended to be viewed by mature, adult audiences and may be unsuitable for children under 17.
Is unrated worse than rated R? ›R applies to movies that have strong language, sex, and violence, by accordance of the MPAA. Unrated is a cut extended with raunchier content that was not been seen by the MPAA. This usually applies to R Rated movies.
Why is Ma rated R? ›The MPAA rating has been assigned for “violent/disturbing material, language throughout, sexual content, and for teen drug and alcohol use.” The Kids-In-Mind.com evaluation includes a couple of scenes of oral sex, references to oral sex, kissing and petting, and male genitals and cleavage; several violent scenes ...
Why is the Outer Banks rated TV-MA? ›Age Rating: Why is Outer Banks Rated TV-MA? Outer Banks is rated TV-MA for language, violence, and sexual content which means some content is not suitable for kids under 17.
What does it mean when movies are unrated? ›“An unrated film is simply that — a version of the movie that has not been submitted for a rating,” said Kate Bedingfield, chief spokeswoman for the Motion Picture Association of America. “The ratings system is voluntary, so anyone can release an unrated film in the home entertainment market.
Can an 11 year old watch rated R? ›As per the MPAA's film rating policy, patrons under the age of 17 will require an accompanying parent or guardian to attend an "R" rated film.
Is NC-17 worse than MA? ›What is the difference between TV-MA and NC-17? NC-17 rated programs are preferred to be watched by adults who are over the age of 18. NC-17 rating is much higher than Rated R or TV-MA, which means that it has the most amount of nudity, substance, or physical/mental violence.
What is meant by rated A? ›
The Big 'A' - Stands for 'Adults Only', which obviously prohibits anybody under the age of 18 to watch the film in theatres. The Big 'S' - Stands for 'Restricted to special classes', which means only a certain members of the society, such as doctors, scientists, etc, are permitted to watch the film.
Can a 17 year old buy a rated R movie? ›You must be at least 17 with a photo ID, which includes your birth date, to purchase a ticket for yourself for an R rated movie. If you are under 17, or do not have a photo ID, your parent must come to the theatre to purchase your ticket for an R rated movie.
Can a 14 year old watch TV-MA? ›Programs with this rating are generally not suitable for people or individuals under 17 (some sources may say 18). Content is only made for mature audiences because it contains mature themes, such as gore, sexual violence, strong language, nudity, substances, smoking, and sex.
What is the highest TV rating TV-MA? ›This program contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D). TV-MA Mature Audience Only This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17.
What rating is TV-MA on Netflix? ›What Are Some Popular TV MA Shows On Netflix? The TV-MA rating is actually just meant to warn users as adults, that the show they are about to view has some content that is expectedly not all that suitable for an audience below the age of 17.
Is Unrated worse than TV-MA? ›Unrated is considered worse than TV-MA because it has all the scenes that the rating board would delete. Basically, Unrated content is unfiltered which means no edits or cuts are made. NC-17 rated programs are preferred to be watched by adults who are over the age of 18.
Which is worse rated R or NC-17? ›The MPA gave the movie an NC-17 rating "for some sexual content." NC-17 is a higher classification than an R rating and means no one under 17 years old can be admitted to see the movie, whereas for rated-R films, those under 17 can see the movie with a parent or guardian.
What is higher than rated R? ›MPAA has five rating categories
The new ratings system began with four categories: G (general audiences), M (mature audiences, changed in 1969 to PG, parental guidance suggested), R (restricted, no children under 17 allowed without parents or adult guardians), and X (no one under 17 admitted).
Children under the age of 15 who go to the cinema to see an MA 15+ film must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian for the duration of the film. The parent or adult guardian must also purchase the ticket for the child. The guardian must be over the age of 18 and exercising parental control over the child.
Can a 12 year old see a rated R movie with parent M? ›Children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian over the age of 21 for R-rated movies. I.D. is required for proof of age. Children under 6 years of age are not permitted into R-rated features at all.
Why is the 100 rated TV-MA? ›
Violent, Gory, Teen Dystopian Show
It all boils down to how mature your child is and how well you believe they can handle content such as raunchy sex scenes, gore, self-harm, and death. Very enjoyable show with mature themes present. There is also drug abuse and eventual suicide of a character, so be warned.
Is Outer Banks for kids? Outer Banks is rated TV-MA, which means it's not really for kids. While there isn't much sexuality in the series (aside from some kissing and non-graphic sexual exploration), the series earned its TV-MA rating for strong language and intense violence.
Is Stranger Things Rated R? ›Despite the scary, disturbing and otherwise crass content present in the Netflix original series, “Stranger Things,” the show still holds a TV-14 rating.
What is euphoria rated? ›Euphoria is rated TV-MA for drug use, nudity, violence, and language which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 17.
Is the unrated version better? ›“Unrated” versions contain deleted scenes that might have earned them a stricter rating if submitted to the MPAA. 2. The theatrical version is for the general public, while the “Unrated” version is for older and more mature viewers.
What are R Rated movies mean? ›R: Restricted, Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. This rating means the film contains adult material such as adult activity, harsh language, intense graphic violence, drug abuse and nudity.
What is the meaning of unrated movies in Amazon Prime? ›An unrated cut of a film is a version that has not received a rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. A rating is an indication of the intended audience and the maturity level recommended for the movie. An unrated cut may not be appropriate for people under 17 years old.
Can I bring a minor to an R rated movie? ›AMC Requires Adult Supervision For Guests Under 17 in R-Rated Movies. AMC policies specific to R-Rated titles include children under 6 are not allowed at R-Rated movies after 6pm at any theatre. Guests under 17 must be accompanied by a guardian who is 21 or older. Please be prepared to show ID at the theatre.
Can an 18 year old take a 15 year old to see a rated R movie? ›Children under age 17 requires an accompanying parent or guardian (age 21 or older) to attend R rated performances. 25 years and under must show ID for R rated performances.
Can a 17 year old watch a 18 rated movie? ›18 – for adults only
Films, videos and downloads rated 18 are not suitable for children. No one younger than 18 can go and see an 18 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video, DVD or download.
Why is Marilyn Monroe NC-17? ›
Netflix rated Blonde NC-17 as the movie contains bits of sexual content. The BFFC gave Blonde an 18 rating in the UK for sexual violence and domestic abuse. According to the reviews, the movie contains two rape scenes and a graphic showcase of abortion.
What age restriction is Ma? ›MA 15+ rated material contains strong content and is legally restricted to people over the age of 15. It contains elements such as sex scenes and drug use that could have a strong impact on the viewer.
What's the difference between R and NC-17? ›An NC-17 rating would bar those under 17 from viewing the film. An R-rating allows under 17s to attend a film with accompanying parent or adult guardian. The rating indicates the film contains adult activity, harsh language, intense graphic violence, drug abuse or nudity.
What are D rated movies? ›This program may contain one or more of the following: intensely suggestive dialogue (D), strong coarse language (L), intense sexual situations (S), or intense violence (V). This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17.
What does rated C stand for? ›The battery C Rating is the measurement of current in which a battery is charged and discharged at. The capacity of a battery is generally rated and labelled at the 1C Rate (1C current), this means a fully charged battery with a capacity of 10Ah should be able to provide 10 Amps for one hour.
What is B rated movie? ›A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double feature (akin to B-sides for recorded music).
Do cinemas ask for ID? ›Our staff are legally required to ask for proof that you are old enough to watch an age restricted film if they have any doubt.
Can 11 year old go to cinema alone? ›Children under 8 years old cannot attend a screening unaccompanied (regardless of film certification). They should be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or older. Children under 12 cannot attend a screening unaccompanied after 7pm (regardless of film certification).
What is smile rated? ›Rating: Rated R for strong violent content and grisly images, and language.
What does NC-17 mean? ›ˈen-ˈsē-ˌse-vən-ˈtēn. used to certify that a motion picture is of such a nature that no one aged 17 or under can be admitted compare g, pg, pg-13, r.
What is NC-17 rating? ›
NC-17 (No One 17 and Under Admitted) is the highest rating in the Motion Picture Association (MPA) film rating system used for films distributed in the United States. It is assigned to films the MPA believes most parents would consider "patently adult" and not suitable for their children under 18.
What shows are rated Y? ›- Bluey (2018– ) TV-Y | 7 min | Animation, Family. ...
- SpongeBob SquarePants (1999– ) TV-Y7 | 23 min | Animation, Comedy, Family. ...
- Pokémon (1997– ) ...
- Bewitched (1964–1972) ...
- Batman (1966–1968) ...
- True Beauty (2020–2021) ...
- PAW Patrol (2013– ) ...
- The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
TV-MA is the strongest TV rating, which means it includes anything that would be rated R or NC-17 by the MPAA. However, some Netflix films that were released with a TV-MA rating carried a PG-13 when later rated by the MPAA.
Why is senior year rated TV-MA? ›Mature Content
There are topics of sexual consent, death of a parent, and bullying.
TV-MA: This content is intended for adults only and is not appropriate for individuals under the age of 17. This rating indicates that the program contains crude obscene language, explicit sexual activities, and graphic violence.
Is anything on Netflix R-rated? ›Netflix has established itself as a serious contender during award seasons with some of the best R-rated movies available to stream on the platform. The massive streaming service also still keeps its competitors close by housing non-Netflix Original rated-R movies right beside its original content.
Are there any NC-17 movies on Netflix? ›Netflix's new original Marilyn Monroe movie, Blonde, marks the streaming service's first NC-17 rated movie, due to its graphic depiction of sexual assault (as well as a point-of-view shot of a fetus in the womb).
Why is Netflix cursed rated TV-MA? ›This is rated Mature by netflix for - gore and bloodshed. Not only just killing, but blood splattering and burning people on crosses and a very realistic dead baby......
What is R rated equivalent to? ›It means: Restricted - Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. The first computer-animated film to get an R rating is Sausage Party. It was established with the system. It is equivalent to TV Parental Guidelines' TV-MA and ESRB's M rating.
What does TV-MA On Netflix mean? ›TV-MA. For Mature Audiences. NC-17. Inappropriate for ages 17 and under.
What makes a movie rated R vs Ma? ›
Even though comparable, The TV-MA and R ratings are two different ratings by two different systems. TV-MA contents are only suitable for individuals aged 17 and older. Whilst R-rated content can be viewed by individuals under the age of 17 but only under the supervision of parents, guardians, or an adult.
Can a 17 year old take a 16 year old to an R movie? ›Patrons 17 to 20 years of age may only purchase more than one ticket if they are able to provide photo I.D. for proof of age for each additional ticket being purchased. As per the MPAA's film rating policy, patrons under the age of 17 will require an accompanying parent or guardian to attend an "R" rated film.
Can I take my 11 year old to a rated R movie? ›The R-rating doesn't ban children under 17 from a movie, it restricts them to watching it with a parent or guardian (and includes a recommendation that parents and guardians learn more before allowing their child to see the movie).
How old can you watch TV-MA? ›TV-MA. This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17. Contains content that may be unsuitable for children.
What does unrated version mean? ›“An unrated film is simply that — a version of the movie that has not been submitted for a rating,” said Kate Bedingfield, chief spokeswoman for the Motion Picture Association of America. “The ratings system is voluntary, so anyone can release an unrated film in the home entertainment market.
What does unrated mean in fifty shades of GREY? ›Updated on September 12, 2022 05:44 PM. It's the Friday before Mother's Day and you know what that means: Fifty Shades of Grey is out on DVD and Blu-ray! Among the many promises the Blu-ray disc brings is an unrated version of the original film, which adds an extra three minutes and 16 seconds to the runtime.
Can you take a child to an MA rated movie? ›Children under the age of 15 who go to the cinema to see an MA 15+ film must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian for the duration of the film. The parent or adult guardian must also purchase the ticket for the child. The guardian must be over the age of 18 and exercising parental control over the child.
What is the difference between rated R and M? ›An R-rated film may contain "adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements." On the other hand, titles given an M rating may have content that includes "intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language."