In the UK and Ireland, a 12A film rating means it's generally suitable for those 12 and over, but anyone under 12 can watch it at the cinema if accompanied by an adult (aged 18+) who takes parental responsibility for them, with content featuring moderate violence, sex references, drug misuse, or strong language. This advisory rating allows younger viewers access with guidance, unlike a strict "12" rating for home video where no one under 12 can buy or rent it.
Yes, a 7-year-old can watch a 12A film in a cinema if accompanied by an adult, but it's not recommended unless the adult checks the specific content first, as 12A means it's not generally suitable for under-12s and can contain moderate bad language, violence, or scary scenes; parents should use their judgment and check BBFC Insight or similar guides to see if it's right for their child.
In a 12A rated film, violence, sex and bad language are more likely to appear and, although they will be slightly less mild than in a PG rated film, the films shouldn't glorify the behaviour of the characters in an inappropriate way or be shown in a way that encourages imitation.
Strong language ('f**k') is allowed infrequently at 12A/12, though the BBFC is more lenient on the definition of 'infrequent' than the MPA is; for example, the film About Time was permitted with five uses of the F-word to receive a 12A/12 rating for 'infrequent strong language, moderate sex references'.
So why the change? According to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), these films were often classified PG at the time because the leap to the next category, 15, was too great. Conversely, some films clearly aimed at gore-happy children ended up as 15s (Gremlins, for instance, which is now a 12A).
PG - Parental Guidance: General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A 'PG' film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
G - Similar to the UK's 'U' rating, G means 'General Audiences. All Ages Admitted. ' PG - The US PG rating means the same as in the UK: Parental Guidance Suggested.
"Crap" is generally considered mild profanity or vulgar slang, not a true "bad word" like a stronger expletive, but it's inappropriate for formal or professional settings and depends heavily on context, audience, and intent; it can express frustration (e.g., "This crap isn't working") but is best avoided around bosses, teachers, or elders, while being fine with friends.
What does the 12A/12 age rating mean? Cinema content classified 12A and video content classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Strong language. G*ddamn is used. 'F*ck' is said 65 times. 'Sh*t' is said.
Yes, PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) can be okay for a 7-year-old, but it depends heavily on the specific movie's content and your child's temperament, as PG means some material might not be suitable and parents should decide, with some movies containing mild violence, language, or scary themes that could upset sensitive children. While PG generally means "suitable for most ages," it's crucial for parents to know their own child's maturity level and whether they'll be watching with them or need parental controls for unsupervised viewing.
The BBFC has given this a 12A rating, with warnings for moderate threat, violence, and language. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it for children under 5—some scenes are genuinely scary. However, older kids, teens, and adults who love action-packed adventure will definitely enjoy it.
Content rating
Rated R for language throughout and brief drug use.
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 as to your age.
In the MPAA rating system, R stands for “Restricted.” It means the film may include strong language, intense violence, sexual content, or other mature themes. Viewers under 17 (or 18 in some states) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
So I'd recommend this for 9 and up BUT if you have a particularly bright and precocious almost 6 year old they'd probably be fine with it too. To put it in perspective, my kids have also recently seen all the Jurassic Park movies, Men in Black (which they didn't love and found a bit scary), and Back to the Future.
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film.
It is a horror movie based on Stephen King's novel and is rated R for strong violence, language, and disturbing imagery. Due to the graphic and intense nature of the movie, it may not be suitable for children under 12 or 13.
According to the Motion Picture Association, the PG-13 label means the movie is fine for kids over the age of thirteen. It may not, however, be appropriate for children under thirteen because of language, violence, nudity, and other mature content. But some parents say many PG-13 movies make them uncomfortable.
Leche, borrowed from the Spanish word for "milk," has taken on a completely different meaning in Tagalog. It's a versatile swear word Filipinos use to express frustration or anger. Think of it as the Filipino equivalent of "damn" or "crap."
The roots of 'heck' trace back to the 19th century as a euphemism for hell. In essence, it's been softened over time to fit into polite conversation while still conveying frustration or surprise.
"Sucks" is usually used as a slang way of saying something is bad or disappointing. "That movie sucked." "I suck at baseball." This usage of "sucks" has come to be pretty PG-rated, I have heard plenty of children use it. Still kind of crass though; not something you'd want to put in an academic paper or work email.
In Australia, an M (Mature) rating means content (films, games) has a moderate impact and is not recommended for children under 15, but it's not legally restricted, so anyone can access it; it often includes violence, nudity, or themes needing a mature outlook, requiring parents to check details before letting younger kids see it, unlike the legally restricted MA15+ rating.
An example label
For certain appliances, the existing energy efficiency rating category of A is divided into three extra categories (A+, A++ and A+++) where A+++ indicates 'more efficient'. Note: the layout of labels and information required can differ significantly between products.
In 1993, a new rating – NC16 (No Children under 16) was introduced to protect children from viewing films thematically unsuitable for them, and to bridge the gap between PG and R21. In 2004, the M18 rating was added to provide more choices for young adults.