Certification In Films

U – Films suitable for all ages. These films contain very little violence and conflict, and if it is it is not glamourized and resolved quickly. They often have happy endings and scary or potentially unsettling sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. An example of a film of this certificate is Monsters Inc.

PG – These films are suitable for all ages, although whether a child should be watching a film with this certificate is down their parent, hence the rating, which stands for Parental Guidance. Drug use can only occur if it carries an Anti-drug message. No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun. An example of a film of this certificate is Big Hero 6

12 and 12A – These films are suitable for ages 12 and over. 12A however is a certificate reserved exclusively for films of cinema release and 12 is exclusively for when the film is released at home on DVD or whatever format the buyer chose. 12A films can be viewed by a child under the age of 12, but only if accompanied by an adult. Strong language is permitted, but depending on its frequency and context. An example of a film certificated as a 12A is Avengers: Age of Ultron

15 – These films are suitable for ages 15 and over. Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail), dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied and strong language is permitted. An example of film of this certificate is Suicide Squad.

18 – This films are suitable for ages 18 and over. In these films, more-or-less anything goes, although anything too extreme may cause the film to be rated as R18 (which is a rating reserved for the most extreme films, such as pornography). An example of a 18 rated film is Pulp Fiction.