What Does PG-13 Mean in a Movie Theater?

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When it comes to movies, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating system is a key element in deciding whether a movie is appropriate for certain audiences. Every movie released in the United States receives an MPAA rating, ranging from G to NC-17, and each rating carries with it a certain set of expectations. One of the most common ratings is PG-13.

What Does PG-13 Mean? The PG-13 rating was created in 1984 as an intermediate between the PG and R ratings. It is a warning that “some material may be inappropriate for children under 13” — in other words, it’s not suitable for young children, but parents should still be able to make decisions about what their kids can watch. Movies with this rating may contain some strong language, violence, nudity, or other mature themes; however, these elements must be brief and not pervasive throughout the film.

Examples of PG-13 Movies: Some popular PG-13 movies include Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Deadpool (2016), The Hunger Games (2012), The Avengers (2012), and Jurassic World (2015). These films tend to have more mature themes than G or PG rated films — such as violence or romance — but they are not as explicit as R rated films.

In addition to movies, TV shows can also receive a PG-13 rating if they contain content that could be considered inappropriate for younger viewers. For example, AMC’s Breaking Bad was given a TV-14 rating due to its dark themes and graphic content.

What Does the Rating Mean for Parents? Ultimately, parents are best equipped to decide what their kids should watch. While there are many good films rated PG-13 that are appropriate for older children and teenagers, some may still contain elements that parents do not want their children exposed to at an early age. It is important for parents to research the movie before allowing their children to view it so they can make an informed decision about what is right for their family.

Conclusion: In summary, PG-13 means a movie contains some material that may not be suitable for children under 13 years old — including strong language, violence, nudity or other mature themes — but these elements will generally only appear briefly throughout the film. As always, parents should research movies before allowing their children to view them so they can make an informed decision about what is appropriate for their family.