Ratings: The Differences

U - PG

• The themes at PG can be a little more mature, but the nature of how they are presented is still very mild.
• Sex and Relationships can be more acknowledged at PG however its treatment is still discreet and infrequent.
• At PG mild drug use/reference is more acceptable but still must carry an anti-drug message overall.
• Discriminatory language can be used at PG however its use must have an educational or historical context.
• Violence can be stronger at PG, but still will not dwell on any detail and must be justified by it's context.
• At PG horror can be more frightening but still cannot be prolonged and fantasy is treated less strictly.

PG - 12A

• Discriminatory language/behaviour can progress from PG to 12A however still must not be endorsed by the work as a whole.
• Drug mis-use can be shown at 12A [it cannot at PG]  but must be infrequent and not glamorised.
• Moderate physical and psychological threat may be premitted at 12A but cannot be sustained.
• Imitable behaviour can be shown at 12A.
• Strong glamorisation of accesible weapons is not permitted.
• Moderate language is allowed at 12A - compared to mild infrequent language in a PG.
• Nudity in a sexual content is allowed in a 12A but must be brief and discreet.
• Violence is stronger at 12A but still must not dwell on detail.

12A/12 - 15

• At 15, drug references and taking may be shown, but the film must not promote drugs overall.
• Horror can be stronger and more menacing at 15 then at 12A.
• Glamorisation of easily accessible weapons is not acceptable.
• Language can become more frequent and stronger at 15 depending on its context.
• Nudity is more acceptable at 15 compared to a 12A, and can be shown in a sexual context but still not with the inclusion of strong detail.
• Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour is allowed at 15.

15 - 18 

• At 18, the viewer is considered an adult and so is free to choose their entertainment.
• Risk of harm to society is not acceptable.
• Sexualised violence is allowed at 18.
• The inclusion of sexual relationships is much more acceptable at 18 then at 15. 
• Clear images of real sex is not permitted at 18.
  

18 - R18

• Both 18 and R18 rated works may not breach any criminal laws.
• Sexually abusive behaviour is not acceptable. 
• At R18, real sex is allowed unlike at 18.

18

 

Suitable only for adults.

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

 

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

 

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.