This document outlines UK film rating categories and what content is appropriate for each age group. It discusses the U rating for all ages, PG for parental guidance, 12 and 12A possibly containing moderate language or action, 15 having strong violence and language, 18 being strictly for adults and containing very strong content, and R18 being explicitly restricted material only shown in licensed venues to adults. The ratings provide guidelines about what types of themes, language, violence, sexual content and dangerous behavior are suitable or unsuitable for different age groups.

2. Suitable for all ages
• The “U” symbol stands for universal and should be suitable for
children aged 4 and over.
• There will be no sexual behaviour in a film that is rated U but
characters may be seen kissing or cuddling.
• Dangerous or anti social behaviour will not be allowed because a
child might copy.
• A film that is rated U will usually have a positive message for
example loyalty, honesty and friendship.

3. Parental guidance
• This is suitable for everyone to watch but some scenes may
be unsuitable for young viewers.
• PG films can contain issues such as bullying and racism,
there can also be some bad or aggressive language.
• There will not be obvious violence but there could be some
blood but we wont know how the injury was inflicted.

4. 12 and 12A
• 12 may contain material that is not generally suitable for children under
the age of 12.
• There may be moderate language such as “bitch” at a 12A, any aggressive
language such as racism or homophobic language will not be allowed in a
12 film.
• There wont be any fight scenes but there could be action sequences or
weapons
• Dangerous behaviour such as suicide or fighting Can be shown but not
presented in a way which children are likely to copy.

5. 15 years and over
• 15 rated film is not suitable for anyone under the age is 15.
• Any of the following can be show in a film rated 15: strong
violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity,
strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of
sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence.
• dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming
should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

6. Only suitable for adults
• Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an
18 film at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video.
• Some of the things that are in a film rated 18 are: very strong
violence, frequent strong language and / or very strong language,
strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong
horror, strong blood and gore.
• There may be scenes cut from an 18 film for example where the
material is in breach of the criminal law.

7. R18
• The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted
for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish
material involving adults. Films may only be shown to
adults in specially licensed cinemas, R18 videos may
not be supplied by mail order.