 MPA Motion Picture Association Renamed from Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in 2019. Films are rated for US theatrical showings and video formats by the MPA. The MPA is a trade organisation, not a state censor. Ratings are voluntary and are not sanctioned by US law. Distributors can opt out of MPA ratings and release the film MPA Unrated. The MPA is also very active in actions against film piracy. The MPA established the modern ratings under the presidency of Jack Valenti MPA Presidents - Jack Valenti 1966-2004
- Dan Glickman 2004-2010
- Chris Dodd 2011-2017
- Charles Rivkin 2017-present
MPA Ratings - G: General Audiences:
All ages admitted
- PG: Parental Guidance Suggested:
Some material may not be suitable for children
- PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned
Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13
- R: Restricted:
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian [in UK terms = 17A]
- NC-17: No One 17 and Under Admitted
[in UK terms = 18]
- Unrated:
Not an MPA rating but a distributor opt out Previously there was an X rating which was replaced by the NC-17 in 1990. Distributors could also opt for this X rating without submitting the film for rating. This opt out was commonly used by porn distributors and the X rating became associated with porn. The replacement NC-17 is only available for films submitted to the MPA. The NC-17 is commercially unattractive as many theatres and a few retailers consider themselves 'family friendly' and therefore refuse adults-only material. MPA's film rating department is called Classification and Rating administration (CARA) Websites:
MPA Corporate
CARA Melon Farmers News:
MPA News
| 
