The Differences

U-PG

• Themes can be slightly more mature, but must still presented them mildly
• Sex can be presented briefly and discreetly, but nudity must still not have a sexual context
• Drug misuse is more acceptable but must carry a strong anti-drug message

Mild discriminatory language or behavior is acceptable if it has educational or historical value
Violence can be slightly stronger
Horror can be more frightening but must not be prolonged and must still have a reassuring outcome


PG-12A

•  Discriminatory language and behaviour is more acceptable but must still not be endorsed as a whole
• Drugs are also more acceptable, but again, must not be encouraged as a whole
• More moderate threat and horror is allowed, but must not be prolonged or sustained
• Imitable behaviour can be shown but should not dwell on detail
• Moderate language is allowed, as well as infrequent and non-agressive strong language
• nudity in a sexual context is allowed but must be brief and discreet
• There may be more violence and more violent themes but it must not dwell on detail

12A-15

• Strong language can be much more frequent
• Horror can be strong and prolonged
• Drug use can be shown, as long as it is not instructional and the film does not promote drugs as a whole
• Stronger nudity is acceptable in a sexual context, but must not go into explicit detail. Strong sexual references are allowed

15-18

• Anything may be shown at 18, provided it does not break any of the rules set out in the above post.

18-R18

• 'Real sex' can be shown at R18, but not at 18