How the MPAA defines its movie ratingsMay 4, 2013
The MPAA ratings
Movie ratings are administered by the Classification and Rating Administration, which is not a government agency and comprises MPAA-appointed board members. The current system began in 1968, with the ratings G, M, R and X.
Below are the ratings in 2013, with a focus on violence. More information is available at www.filmratings.com.
G: No nudity, sex or drugs are allowed. "Depictions of violence are minimal," but mild fantasy violence is permitted.
PG: Changed from the M rating in the early 1970s. Some material is unsuitable for children. "There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity," but no drug use.
PG-13: Added in 1984 - the first PG-13 movie was "Red Dawn." "There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence."
R: Contains some adult material. These movies may contain "hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity drug abuse and other elements."
NC-17: Adopted in place of the X rating in 1990. An NC-17 can be awarded based on extreme violence, but is more commonly awarded for sexual content.
Source: MPAA Classification and Ratings Rules