The American Ratings Board is a government organization that rates movies and home video releases. Founded in 1984 after the failure of MPPA ratings, the board rates theatrical releases and home video releases.
Development[]
According to polls, many Americans thought the ratings were inaccurate and confusing.By 1984, the opposition had reached the government, with many politicians from all sides of the political spectrum calling for a new movie rating system. On June 15, 1984, Lowell Weicker created the American Ratings Board, a governmental organization that would allow the government to rate movies for theatrical release.
In 1991, after VHS tape sales skyrocketed, the ARB Act was amended to rate home video releases. There are plans to rate it for streaming releases, but as of 2017, streaming services use their own ratings due to streaming not being mainstream.
Overview[]
A film (or home video release if it is a direct-to-video release or TV show release) has to be submitted to the government. With the advice of Congress and the Presidential cabinet, the movie or home video release is rated. Except for 18-rated films, which are only permitted for ages 18 and up, all ratings except G are not permitted for children under that age unless accompanied by a parent.Unlike many other countries, the ARB does not have any legal right to ban, demand cuts, or refuse to rate any movie or home video release.
On packaging for home videos and movies, the rating is required to appear on the front of the cover, the spine, and the back, where the reasons for the rating are shown.
18 rated films and home videos are required to be put in a section in stores reserved for adults only.
Ratings[]
G (All Ages Accepted): Appropriate for all ages.
10 (Young Children Cautioned): Not suitable for children under the age of ten; children under the age of ten must be accompanied by an adult.
12(Children Cautioned):Not suitable for children under the age of twelve; children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult.
14(Tweens Cautioned):Not suitable for children under the age of fourteen; children under the age of fourteen must be accompanied by an adult.
16(Teens Cautioned):Not suitable for children under the age of sixteen; children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.
18(Minors Not Admitted):Adults only.
Content descriptors are used for all ratings. For example, the 2016 film Turning Red is rated 10 for "crude humor and cartoon violence".