Movie ratings provide parents with advance information about the content of films, so they can determine what movies are appropriate for their young children to see. Movie ratings do not determine whether a film is "good" or "bad." They simply provide basic information to parents about content they may find sensitive. The MPAA and its member companies believe that filmmakers should be free to bring their unique creative visions to the screen, and that parents should be equally free to decide what their children can and cannot see. By providing clear, concise information, movie ratings achieve both goals. They provide timely, relevant information to parents, and they help shield filmmakers and this dynamic American art form from government censorship.

Who decides the ratings? Parents. Ratings are assigned by an independent Board of parents with no past affiliation to the movie business. Their job is to rate each film as they believe a majority of American parents would rate it, considering relevant themes and content.

For more information about film ratings, please visit www.filmratings.com.