21st Century Ratings Creep: PG-13 and R

ABSTRACT

“Ratings creep” is the term used to describe the escalation of adult content over time in movies with the same rating. This study is an analysis of the language used by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in rating descriptions for films rated PG-13 from 2000–2003 and R from 2000, looking for mention and modification of overall adult, sexual, and violent content. For this period, PG-13-rated movie descriptions showed gains in sexual content only. When comparing descriptions from PG-13-rated films from 2003 to R-rated films from 2000, significant creep in terms of sexual and violent content was detected.

Keywords:

• “Ratings Creep”
• Ratings
• MPAA
• Media Regulation

Notes

Note: Values represent percentage of films with the score after collapsed into groups for hypothesis tests.

^a Scores were collapsed as follows: 0 = 0; 2–4 = 1; 6 = 2; 8 + = 3.

^b Scores were collapsed as follows: 0 = 0; 2 = 1; 4 = 2; 6 = 3; 8 + = 4.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ron Leone

Ron Leone (PhD, Syracuse) is an Assistant Professor of Media & Film in the Communication Department at stonehill College.

Nicole Houle

Nicole Houle (BA, Stonehill College) works for United Natural Foods, Incorporated as a National Sales and Marketing Associate.