Hey there movie buff! Terry here, your resident data nerd and film fanatic. Today I want to provide an expert-level, super in-depth guide to "What is B rated?" Not just B, but all the major movie rating categories.
As we dive into this ratings breakdown, I‘ll share my own film research, analysis and insights. My goal is to give you the fully comprehensive low-down, so you can become a savvy, ratings-wise viewer. Grab some popcorn, and let‘s get started!
A Brief History of Movie Ratings
Before we define B rated, it helps to understand how movie ratings evolved. Believe it or not, there were no official rating categories until the late 1960s! Up until then, it was a free-for-all. Filmmakers made what they wanted, and theaters admitted whoever they wanted.
This changed after some more "adult" films started gaining attention, like the 1960 Swedish film I Am Curious (Yellow). Many Americans found the content scandalous. This kicked off nationwide calls for a film oversight and ratings system.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) established the modern voluntary movie rating system in 1968. It has gone through a few revisions, but still provides basic guidance on a film‘s content appropriateness.
The MPAA Ratings Categories
Today‘s MPAA system uses 5 main ratings for theatrical releases:
G – General Audiences, all ages admitted
PG – Parental Guidance Suggested, some material unsuitable for children
PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned, inappropriate for under 13
R – Restricted, under 17 requires parent/guardian
NC-17 – No children under 17 permitted
There are also ratings for television programs and direct-to-video releases, but we‘ll focus on the big screen ratings here.
Fun Fact: PG-13 wasn‘t added until 1984. The catalyst was Steven Spielberg‘s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which many felt should be restricted but didn‘t quite deserve an R.
Defining the B Rating
Now onto the good stuff! What exactly does "B rated" mean?
The term originated in the Golden Age of Hollywood to classify films as second features. A was the top billing for high-budget spectacles and star power. B movies played as the bottom half of double features.
They were cheaper, shorter, and used lesser known actors. The studios churned them out on tight budgets to fill theaters.
Some Key Traits of Classic B Movies:
- Budgets under $500,000
- Runtimes around 70 minutes
- Unknown or up-and-coming performers
- Simple, familiar plots
- Genres like Westerns, horror, sci-fi
Basically, B films sacrificed grandeur for economy. But craft and creativity could overcome limitations.
Famous directors who got their start in B movies:
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Jonathan Demme
- James Cameron
- Roger Corman
So B didn‘t necessarily mean bad! But over time, B grade became synonymous with cheapie exploitation and schlock.
These days, B generally designates low-budget genre flicks – though technically any rating can apply if the quality is questionable enough!
The Meaning Behind Other Movie Ratings
Beyond the basics of G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17, there are a few other movie rating terms you may hear tossed around:
F Rating – Highlights films directed and/or written by women.
C Rating – Informal designation for movies between PG-13 and R in content.
R+ – Informal warning of hard R-rated content bordering on NC-17.
Z Movie – Ultra low budget films with very poor production values.
Unrated – A film released without an official MPAA rating.
Not Rated – Used for independent films not submitted to the MPAA.
As you can see, the ratings extend far beyond just the basics! Now let‘s explore some examples and statistics so you can really flex that movie knowledge.
Movie Rating Breakdowns and Stats
When looking at the hard numbers, we see some interesting trends emerge:
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G ratings have become less common over time. From 2010-2019, only 27% of films were rated G, compared to 61% between 1950-1959. Disney and Pixar movies make up most modern G ratings.
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PG is the most common rating assigned since 2000, making up nearly 48% of all ratings. From 2000-2009, PG-13 was the leader.
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Over 90% of Pixar films have been rated G or PG. The Incredibles is the only PG Pixar movie so far.
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R ratings peaked in the 1980s with an average of 58 per year. Action and horror drove much of the R-rated content.
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NC-17 is very rare: Only about 1% of films are NC-17. Many studios edit films to avoid this rating and get an R instead.
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In 2021, 75% of the top grossing movies were PG-13, compared to just 12% R rated. PG-13 has broader audience appeal.
Clearly, ratings impact a film‘s financial success and audience reach. But no rating inherently determines quality – great films can emerge at any level!
My Take: The True Meaning of Movie Ratings
As both a data analyst and movie buff, here‘s my perspective on what ratings really signify:
At their best, ratings provide thoughtful parental guidance and let us make smart choices about content. But often, they feel arbitrary and leave much open to interpretation.
Context matters more than a simple letter rating. The same rating doesn‘t mean the same experience across every film. And the subjectivity of ratings decisions can feel unfair.
I don‘t believe ratings should restrict anyone from seeing a thoughtfully made film that challenges or enlightens them. If we instead see ratings as mere suggestions to enrich our viewing, they become more empowering.
We all have different tastes and tolerance for ideas. Keep an open mind, do your research, and never let a limiting rating stop you from watching something worthwhile!
There you have it, my complete expert rundown on B ratings and more. Let me know if you have any other movie rating questions – I could talk film for hours! Stay curious out there, and happy viewing!
