There is a widespread controversy over R rated and PG-13 rated movies. The limitation that the rating system brings to the public has a negative impact on the movie industry. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) uses a rating system that is used to inform the viewer about the content of the movie.R most importantly stands for the word ‘Restricted’. The MPAA restricts children under 17 to see an R-movie without the chaperoning of a parent or adult guardian. An R-movie contains some adult material such as; profanity, extreme violence, nudity, and drugs.

PG-13 warns parents that there can be unfit material for children under 13. A PG-13 movie may contain profanity, extreme violence, nudity, and drugs. Now, is there really a difference between the two ratings? Steven Spielberg introduced the PG-13 rating in 1984 as a result of his movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.’ This movie was too violent for the PG rating but not enough violence was included to label it as an R rating. As a result, the PG-13 rating was made.

What actually differentiates an R-movie from a PG-13 movie, is an R-movie just extends the use of the content allowed in a PG-13 movie. Some of the R-rated movies would still be just as enjoyable without the additional hard language or nudity. I can see how adding nudity, profanity, violence, etc., may lure in viewers, but a group of viewers are also prevented from seeing these movies.

These groups of people are restricted from going to a wide variety of entertainment: I am talking specifically about the teenagers. Large populations of teenagers are restricted from seeing R-movies, and can only see PG-13 movies or below. This allows a wider audience to see PG-13 movies than are allowed for R-movies. A wider audience means a wider profit.

Since 1984, profits for R-movies have decreased and profits for PG-13 movies have increased.
“Teenage boys and girls were also found to be the most likely demographic to re-watch films they liked in theaters multiple times, which obviously contributed to higher box office.” These results alone should make it obvious that PG-13 equals more profit. By no means, am I suggesting that R-movies should be eliminated, but some movies can reduce their amount of sexuality, violence, and profanity, and still keep the quality of the movie.

Wide audiences for movies are book-readers. A lot of movies are based off of books, but some movies exclude the readers. There are an excessive amount of books that are made into extreme chart-topping movies, but some of these movies include additional scenes that may not have been included in a book. Someone can read a book and be so anxious to see the movie, until, the movie based off of this book is rated-R. The audience of 16 and under that read this book is now unable to go see this movie. In simpler terms nudity or hard language may be added to the movie as a form of entertainment, although this blocks the younger readers of the book to see this movie. How is that fair?

“Since 1995, PG-13 films have earned over $35 billion more than R-rated films at the box office.” I am certain that PG-13 movies are the sharks of the movie industry. R-movies do not have the benefits of a teenage audience and maximized profits. What’s my suggestion? R-movies should close the door on inappropriate content, and should open the door to PG-13 and unlimited income.