The way films are rated nowadays-—G, PG, R, or NC-17—was not always the norm. Behind the ratings shorthand is a story of the dramatic history of film ratings that was molded by cultural conflicts, political pressures, and the industry battling for its creative freedom. The MPAA censorship system did not simply rate the movies to provide due diligence for the consumers; it completely rewrote the parameters of what consumers could watch on screen and how the filmmakers were telling their stories.
From appropriately titled silent films that were banned from screenings to current convective debates about the portrayal of violence and sex, the battleground of film classification goes back further than 1968. Before the MPAA, strict Hollywood censorship was circulating through the Hays Code, which dictated everything from what could be seen on screen to how things were sanitized. This restriction pushed filmmakers to artifice the code with intentionally ambiguous plots and soft morality to back films worthy of an audience. However, by the early 1960s, the industry could no longer be satisfied with this classification, and filmmakers began to challenge film views.
The MPAA composition and system were born in 1968. Today, with the face of streaming platforms facing and challenging a time-honored, restrictive, and traditional MPAA system, one question inevitably arises: is this kind of monetized regulation going to survive the test of time? So, you can dive into this telling of the untold story of the rating system of cinema to understand how we continue to watch films and how the system continues to be an active part of the history of film.
Before establishing the MPAA's rating system, films encountered extensive censorship. In early 1900s America, films were viewed as a moral danger, and as such, there were
The famous Hays Code (1930-1968) mandated strict guidelines: no cursing, seductive dancing, or criticism of religion. Scenes depicting crime, narcotics, and interracial relationships were also heavily restricted. The intention of the code was to "clean up " Hollywood films, but it caused filmmakers to find obscure symbolism.
However, by the late 1950s, this rigid system started to crumble due to the influence of foreign films and rebellious directors pushing the limits on creative filmmaking. This, in turn, laid the groundwork for the modern rating system by the MPAA. However, the struggle for creative freedom vs. censorship on the screen had only begun.
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By the 1950s, the strict Hays Code was collapsing under the weight of cultural change. Films like Breathless were made abroad but released in the U.S., and U.S. movies like Some Like It Hot (1959) showed that movies could push censorship limits. Starting in the 1950s, court rulings also helped maintain and strengthen free speech protections.
The Code met its demise with Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1966, which included profanity and sexual themes despite the MPAA's desire to regulate the film. Newly appointed MPAA president Jack Valenti understood change was coming. In 1968, he introduced a voluntary rating system that rated movies by category rather than justifying censorship.
The Original MPAA Ratings (1968):
This paradigm shift allowed filmmakers to increase freedom while providing parents with information to make informed decisions. The first film given a rating was The Split (1968), which was rated M. The MPAA system became the standard for film categorization, balancing filmmaker creativity with audience information.
The MPAA’s power to rate films has always sparked debate. Critics argue the system is
Some movies, like This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006), have even exposed the secretive nature of the ratings process.
Before and after the MPAA, many films faced bans or heavy cuts. Some infamous cases include:
Even today, streaming platforms challenge the MPAA’s influence, as services like Netflix and Amazon bypass traditional ratings altogether.
As streaming transforms the cinema landscape, the MPAA's rating structure stares down the barrel of extinction. Studios often rush to avoid ratings for streaming-only releases, while platforms such as Netflix exploit their content warnings for films. Additionally, we are already having discussions about
As Generation Z instigates increased demands for on-screen representation, the next step may be a confluence of viewing ratings and content descriptors ("this film contains themes of gambling addiction"). If we add virtual reality and AI-created films to the conversation, we are looking at a seismic redevelopment of a century-old way we classify films.
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Movie rating systems did not just occur; they represent society’s shifting values. The MPAA censorship system established in 1968 opened avenues toward scrutiny of artistic freedom and responsibility that shattered the code of the Hays Code. In many ways, more significant than the example of ratings as a method flowing from censorship, film classification assisted parents in making a more informed choice. However, since its inception, ratings have, arguably, been oriented towards studio interests while independent filmmakers were hampered by controversy over content.
From the old school of Hollywood to the digital age, the role of the MPAA is flexible and ongoing. Films once deemed too controversial, like Showgirls or Blue Valentine, succeeded in a streaming landscape with no ratings that circumvent studio interest and principles altogether. Moreover, the litany of banned films is a reminder that censorship is not a relic of Hollywood.
While audiences continue to crave various authentic, unrated, and taboo stories, we are unsure what the future holds. Will the MPAA upgrade itself, or will we form something new? One thing is sure: the fight over what we can—or should we see—will continue to drive cinema. The story of rating films is not simply about a label in many ways; whose story gets told and why are even more complex.
This content was created by AI