Rated M: Suggested for mature audiences - Parental discretion advised. Rated R: Restricted – Persons under 16 not admitted, unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian.
Are 'M' rated films age-restricted? No. 'M' rated films indicate the content may be more suitable for older teens, but it is not a legal restriction.
Mature (M) Classification is recommended for people aged 15 years and over. Programs classified M contain material that is considered to be potentially harmful or disturbing to those under 15 years.
The content for M films is moderate and a mature perspective is required. M films are recommended for people aged 15 or older. A person needs to be 15 or older to see an MA 15+ film. The content is strong and unsuitable for people aged under 15.
Films and computer games classified M (Mature) contain content of a moderate impact. M-rated films and computer games are not recommended for children under the age of 15. They include portrayals of elements such as violence and themes that require a mature outlook.
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.
MA15+ films are not suitable for people under 15 as the content is strong in impact. A person aged under 15 cannot be admitted to a MA15+ film in a cinema or purchase or hire these films and games unless they are accompanied by his or her parent or adult guardian.
M means that anyone can view the film but it is more suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over.
People under 18 may not legally purchase, rent, exhibit or view R 18+ classified content. A person may be asked for proof of age before purchasing, hiring or viewing an R 18+ film or computer game at a retail store or cinema. Some material classified R 18+ may be offensive to sections of the adult community.
Films classified MA 15+ are considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category. Consumer advice is additional information about the main content of a film which is intended to help consumers decide if they want to view this type of material.
Children under the age of 15 may not legally watch, buy or hire MA 15+ classified material unless they are in the company of a parent or adult guardian. Children under 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 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.
Photo ID is required for proof of age. 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.
(1) G - General Audiences. All Ages Admitted. A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture.
10-12 years old may provide care of other children for up to three hours with the help of an adult. 13-15 years old may babysit infants and children but not overnight. 16 years old and older may watch children overnight.
Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers. While The Motion Picture Association of America recommends that children under 13 do not see PG-13 movies, there is no magical age.
No one younger than 15 can go and see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video, DVD or download.
Restricted: R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material.
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."
A game rated "M" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is meant only for people aged 17 and over. An "AO"-rated game is meant only for those 18 and over. The ratings have no legal bearing, but most of the video game industry--which sponsors the ESRB--abides by them.
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).
No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the Ratings info for that film in advance.
babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone. children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time. children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight.