When people talk about movies, they often mention ratings. If you live in the United States, you might hear about R-rated movies. However, if you are in the United Kingdom, things work a bit differently. The UK does not use the same rating system as America. This article will explain what ratings exist in the UK and what they mean.
The Simple Answer: There Is No R-Rating in the UK
The most important thing to know is this: the United Kingdom does not have an R-rating for movies. The R-rating system comes from America, and it works quite differently from how the UK rates films. Instead of using R-ratings, the UK has its own system called the BBFC ratings.
What is the BBFC?
The BBFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification. This organisation has existed since 1912 and is responsible for rating all films shown in British cinemas. The BBFC also rates videos, DVDs, and content on streaming services.
The BBFC examines each movie and decides what age group should be allowed to watch it. They look at many things in films, including violence, bad language, sexual content, scary scenes, and drug use. Then they give the film a rating certificate.
The UK Film Rating System
The UK has seven main rating categories. Here is what each one means:
U – Universal
A U-rated film is suitable for everyone, including very young children. These films contain nothing that would upset or frighten children. Common examples include family films and children’s movies. The U stands for Universal.
PG – Parental Guidance
PG films are generally suitable for children, but parents may want to watch with their younger kids. These films may contain mild violence, some bad language, or light references to sex or drugs. However, nothing in the film is described in graphic detail.
12A – For Cinema Releases
The 12A rating applies to films shown in cinemas. A 12A film is suitable for children aged 12 and over. However, children under 12 can still watch a 12A film if they go to the cinema with an adult who is at least 18 years old. This rating was introduced to allow families to see bigger action and adventure films together.
12 – For Home Video
When films are released on DVD, Blu-ray, or video streaming services, they may receive a 12 rating instead of 12A. A 12 film is not for sale or rental to anyone under 12. In this case, no children under 12 can watch it, even with an adult.
15 – For Teenagers and Adults
A 15-rated film is only for people aged 15 and over. No one younger than 15 can buy, rent, or watch a 15 film in the cinema. These films may contain some violence, strong language, sexual content, or references to drugs. However, the violent or sexual scenes are not shown in very graphic detail.
18 – For Adults Only
An 18-rated film is strictly for adults. No one under 18 can see an 18 film in the cinema or buy or rent a video copy. These films may contain strong violence, graphic language, explicit sexual scenes, or other adult themes. The BBFC considers these films only suitable for people aged 18 and older.
R18 – Restricted to Licensed Sex Shops
The R18 rating is the most restrictive. R18 films are adult content that may only be sold in specially licensed sex shops. These are not ordinary cinemas. R18 content is only available in approximately 300 licensed shops across the UK. These films contain material that the BBFC considers above even the 18 rating. An adult aged 18 or older can only buy or watch these films through the proper channels.
How Does the UK System Compare to the American R-Rating?
The American R-rating means that children under 17 need a parent or adult guardian with them to watch the film. The UK system is stricter and different in several ways.
The closest UK equivalent to an American R-rated film would be a combination of the 15 and 18 ratings. The UK 15 rating is stricter than the American R-rating because children cannot watch it at all without being 15. In America, younger children can watch R-rated films with a parent present. In the UK, once a film gets a 15 certificate, it is illegal for anyone under 15 to see it in cinemas or buy it on video.
The UK 18 certificate is equivalent to the American NC-17 rating, which is extremely restrictive in America.
Why Does the UK Have a Different System?
The UK developed its own film rating system over 112 years ago. The British Board of Film Classification has been doing this job since 1912, long before the American system was created. Both countries have different ideas about what content is appropriate for different ages. The UK tends to focus on keeping films away from young children completely, while America allows parents to decide if their children can watch R-rated films with them.
What Things Get Films Rated Higher?
The BBFC looks at many types of content when deciding a film’s rating. Here are the main things that can lead to higher ratings:
Violence: Films with strong, graphic violence are more likely to receive higher ratings. If violence shows suffering or injury in detail, it moves toward the 15 or 18 categories.
Bad Language: Strong swear words and offensive language can raise a film’s rating. Some words that appear regularly throughout a film will lead to a higher certificate than an occasional swear word.
Sexual Content: Films with sexual scenes or nudity generally receive higher ratings. The more explicit the content, the higher the rating.
Drug Use: Films showing or promoting drug use can receive higher ratings, depending on how they show this activity.
Scary or Disturbing Content: Horror films or films with disturbing scenes may be rated higher, especially if they could frighten children.
Discrimination: The BBFC pays attention to how a film treats different groups of people. Films with offensive or discriminatory language or themes may be rated higher.
Interesting Facts About UK Film Ratings
Here are some surprising things about how UK film ratings work:
- Sometimes a film gets a different rating depending on whether it is shown in cinemas or released on video. A film might be 12A in cinemas but 15 on DVD because there is less control over who watches videos at home.
- The BBFC sometimes asks film distributors to cut scenes from films so they can get a lower rating. For example, a distributor might cut a violent scene to get a 12A instead of a 15.
- Local councils in the UK can sometimes make decisions that go against the BBFC’s rating, although this rarely happens. For example, they could ban a film entirely or change its rating.
- The BBFC updates its guidelines every four to five years to reflect what modern British society thinks is acceptable. What was banned 50 years ago might be allowed today.
How to Know What Rating a Film Has
In the UK, you can find a film’s rating in several places:
- At the cinema, the rating appears on posters and at the cinema’s information desk
- On DVDs and Blu-rays, the rating is clearly marked on the box
- On streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and others, the rating is shown in the film’s information
- On the official BBFC website, you can search for any film and find its rating and content advice
What is the Content Advice?
Along with the age rating, the BBFC gives information about why a film has received that rating. This is called “Insight” and it tells viewers what to expect. For example, it might say “Contains mild violence” or “Contains strong language and sexual references.” This helps people decide if a film is right for them.
Conclusion
In summary, there is no R-rating system in the United Kingdom. Instead, the UK uses the BBFC rating system with seven main categories: U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, and R18. Each rating tells audiences what age group should watch that film.
The UK system is generally stricter than the American R-rating because it completely prevents younger viewers from watching certain films, rather than just requiring adult supervision. Understanding these ratings helps UK audiences choose films that are right for them and their families.
Whether you are watching films at the cinema, on DVD, or on streaming services, you will see these rating symbols. They exist to protect younger viewers and help everyone make informed choices about what to watch.