Published: November 14, 2025
What is the MPAA (Now MPA)? Definition & Meaning
The MPAA is the Motion Picture Association of America, a trade organization that created and enforced the film rating system used in the United States. It was founded in 1922 to represent Hollywood studios and prevent government censorship. In 1945, the name changed to the MPAA, and in 2019, it became the Motion Picture Association (MPA). Many still use the older MPAA name in everyday conversation.
The MPA rating system only applies to theatrical films and some direct-to-video releases. Other types of media (like TV shows, video games, and music) are rated by different groups such as the TV Parental Guidelines, ESRB, and RIAA.
What Does the MPAA Do?
Image Credit: Motion Picture Association
The MPAA manages the U.S. film rating system and reviews promotional material like trailers and posters. These ratings tell you if a movie includes violence, sex, strong language, or other content meant for older viewers. The system is designed to help parents decide what’s appropriate for their children, without requiring government regulation.
Ratings are assigned by the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA), an independent division within the MPA. CARA is made up of independent raters, usually parents, who screen films and decide what age group each film suits.
The MPAA also checks trailers to ensure the footage matches the audience. A “green band” trailer is approved for general viewing. A “red band” trailer warns of stronger content.
Here’s the green band Trailer for Deadpool (2016):
And here’s the red band Trailer for Deadpool (2016):
How the MPAA Rating System Works
The rating system is voluntary, but most films choose to participate because ratings decide if theaters, streaming platforms, and TV networks will accept a movie. A rating also tells you what kind of material to expect before watching it.
You don’t need to be part of a major studio to use the system. Independent filmmakers and non-members can also submit their films to the MPA for a rating.
The five most common MPAA ratings are:
- G – General Audiences: All ages admitted. No violence, strong language, or risky behavior.
- PG – Parental Guidance Suggested: May include mild language or light danger scenes that parents might want to talk about with younger kids.
- PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned: May include brief strong language, moderate violence, or suggestive content that older kids may handle better than younger ones.
- R – Restricted: Under 17 requires parent or adult guardian. Often includes strong language, graphic violence, or sexual content.
- NC-17 – Adults Only: No one 17 or under admitted. Usually assigned for explicit sexual material or extreme violence.
Why the MPAA Rating Matters for You
Your film’s rating affects where it can appear. Many theaters refuse NC-17 movies entirely. Some streaming services block adult-rated titles from search menus unless parental controls are turned off. TV networks and advertisers avoid promoting films with adult classifications.
If your film receives a rating that limits release, you can edit and resubmit it. The challenge is that the MPA does not give a list of problem scenes. You do not get timestamps, lines, or shots to adjust. You must use similar rated films as a guide and cut material based on patterns across past decisions.
Key Historical Milestones
The MPA rating system replaced the stricter Hays Code. Over time, several updates created clearer guidelines for modern films.
- 1968: The MPA rating system was launched and replaced the Hays Code.
- 1984: PG-13 was introduced after films like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom used intense scenes that pushed the PG limit.
- 1990: NC-17 replaced the X rating to separate adult-themed films from explicit pornography.
Who Controls the MPAA?
The MPA is run by the major studios that fund it. These include Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Paramount, and Netflix. Independent filmmakers often argue that smaller projects receive stricter ratings for brief nudity or sexual content, while studio blockbusters with heavy violence still earn PG-13 ratings.
The documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006, IFC Films) explores how the MPA handles nudity, violence, and LGBTQ+ content. It highlights how brief sexual scenes in indie films triggered NC-17 ratings, while violent studio films kept PG-13 labels.
Summing Up
The MPAA is the group behind the U.S. film rating system, which assigns age guidelines based on violence, sex, language, and similar content. When you understand how ratings are decided, you can plan your scenes, adjust your script, and prepare for release issues like theater bans, streaming restrictions, or blocked trailers.
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