Not all movies are appropriate for your own viewing; that is why movie-rating classifications are created. Understanding movie ratings is important so you will know which movies are suitable for you.

The Motion Picture Association of America recognizes these official movie ratings. Here are the following:

G. A movie with a General Audience rating means that everyone can watch it. G ratings are usually accorded to children’s movies or those that are completely devoid of sexually suggestive or violent scenes or language. A G movie rating is best suitable for children of all ages.

PG. PG movies are usually for family viewing. Movies with PG rating may have low-level violence (fistfights), mild sexual content (kissing) or other slightly disturbing situations. Children eight years old and above may be allowed to watch a PG movie since it is perceived that they are now more capable of handling violent, sexual or disturbing situations of said extent. However, this may vary depending on the emotional age of the child.

PG-13. Movies under this rating are for slightly older viewers than PG movies. PG-13 movies have higher-level violence (blood, gunfights), sexual content (kissing with some fondling) and more intense situations.  PG-13 movies may also have explicit language such as curses and sexual innuendo. Children thirteen years old and below but not under ten years old can view a PG-13 movie, although some parents may still not allow their children yet.

R. R, which stands for Restricted, is for adults only. Rated R flicks usually have extreme violence, intense sexual scenes and/or language or very disturbing situations (usually in horror movies with so much blood and gore). Children under sixteen years of age can watch a Restricted movie, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.  As protocol, movie houses are supposed to give children proper identification and verify whether they are really accompanied by an adult but it is not always being properly observed. Children ten years old and under are strictly not allowed to watch a rated R movie due to the scenes and language contained that may not be advisable for them.

NC-17. Most filmmakers dread this rating as this is said to be in the same category as with porn. The NC-17 rating was recently created to replace the X rating. It is uncommon to spot a movie with this type of rating in many movie theaters. Movies with an NC-17 rating are usually those that have very extreme sexual scenes and language. More often, it helps the viewer decipher whether the movie is tastefully done, one with a story to tell or a trashy movie with which its only purpose is to show flesh.

The X-rating, although unofficial, has been adopted by the pornography biz as a way to tell film viewer/buyers that the movie they are viewing/buying contains highly sexual scenes. X-rated movies are usually pornographic films that are only very limitedly shown or released straight to video.  Moreover, these are also not subject to the standard rating system.

In addition, there are also films that have a closed captioning rating. This means that sounds of a particular movie can be seen by text displayed along the screen on which it is being viewed.
Movies can have a significant impact on the viewer. It can move, inspire and influence people in either a good or bad way. With diverse movies to choose from, parents or guardians should especially consider the emotional and psychological maturity of their children when deciding whether to allow them to watch a particular movie.  With a better understanding of the movie rating system, you should be more comfortable about which movies are appropriate especially for you and your children.