The Challenge of Movie Ratings for Christian Families
You're standing in the movie theater lobby with your kids, looking at the poster for the latest family-friendly film. The rating says PG, so it should be fine, right? But then you remember hearing about inappropriate content from another parent. Or maybe your teenager is begging to see that PG-13 movie everyone at school is talking about, and you're not sure if it aligns with your family values.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating system has guided American families since 1968, but for Christian parents, these ratings often feel inadequate. A PG-13 rating tells you the content might be inappropriate for children under 13, but it doesn't tell you whether the movie promotes biblical values, contains excessive violence, or normalizes behaviors that conflict with your faith.
This confusion leaves many Christian parents feeling caught between two extremes: either avoiding movies altogether or accepting the ratings at face value without deeper discernment. Neither approach serves our children well. We need to understand what ratings actually mean, recognize their limitations, and develop family standards that go beyond the rating system while remaining practically applicable.
As followers of Christ, we're called to be "in the world but not of it" (John 17:14-16). This extends to our entertainment choices. We don't need to fear media, but we do need wisdom to navigate it. This comprehensive guide will equip you to understand the rating system, establish biblical family standards, and teach your children discernment that will serve them long after they leave home.
Understanding the MPAA Rating System
Before we can go beyond the ratings, we need to understand what they actually mean. The MPAA rating system uses five categories for theatrical releases, plus additional designations for home viewing.
G - General Audiences
The G rating indicates content appropriate for all ages. These films contain nothing that would offend parents for viewing by children. However, "appropriate for all ages" doesn't automatically mean "valuable for all ages" or aligned with Christian values.
What G-rated films typically avoid:
- •Language stronger than mild expressions
- •Violence beyond cartoonish or comical
- •Sexual content or nudity
- •Drug use or references
- •Intense or frightening scenes
Christian considerations for G-rated films:
- •G doesn't guarantee positive messages or role models
- •Some G-rated films promote materialism, selfishness, or disrespect
- •Eastern religious themes (common in some animated films) may conflict with Christian teaching
- •Character behavior may model attitudes you don't want your children emulating
Examples: Most classic Disney animated films, Pixar movies like Finding Nemo, and wholesome live-action films receive G ratings. However, even here discernment matters—what messages does the film communicate about family, authority, and right and wrong?
PG - Parental Guidance Suggested
PG indicates some material may not be suitable for children. Parents are urged to provide guidance, as the film may contain some material parents might not like for their young children.
What might appear in PG-rated films:
- •Brief mild language (rarely including a single use of strong expletives)
- •Some violence, but not intense
- •Brief nudity without sexual content
- •Mild frightening or intense scenes
- •Depictions of non-sexual, non-drug-related adult activities
Christian considerations for PG-rated films:
- •PG covers a wide spectrum—some are nearly G, others push toward PG-13
- •Innuendo and "hidden" adult humor often appear in animated PG films
- •Disrespect toward parents or authority figures is common
- •Spiritual themes may include New Age concepts, witchcraft, or Eastern mysticism
- •What's "mild" to secular audiences may not be mild by Christian standards
Examples: Many superhero films, adventure movies, and animated features receive PG ratings. The breadth of content under this rating makes parental research essential.
PG-13 - Parents Strongly Cautioned
Created in 1984, PG-13 warns that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. This is where content becomes significantly more mature, yet it remains the most common rating for major studio releases.
What PG-13 allows:
- •Drug use if not explicitly glamorized
- •One use of a strong expletive, or multiple uses of milder profanity
- •Violence that's intense but not persistent or extreme
- •Brief partial nudity (non-sexual context)
- •Sexual content that doesn't go beyond brief scenes or innuendo
- •Horror and intensity that exceed PG levels
Christian considerations for PG-13 films:
- •Studios often push boundaries to achieve PG-13 rather than R (for commercial reasons)
- •Worldviews frequently conflict with Christian values
- •Sexual content, while not explicit, normalizes premarital intimacy
- •Violence can be intense, with real-world consequences minimized
- •Spiritual warfare themes may trivialize real spiritual battles
- •The "one strong expletive" rule is often fully utilized
Examples: Most Marvel films, action-adventures, and teen-focused movies receive PG-13 ratings. This rating requires the most parental discernment, as it spans content from barely beyond PG to nearly R-rated.
R - Restricted
R-rated films contain adult material. Children under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian. These films may include hard language, intense violence, nudity, sexual content, or drug abuse.
What R-rated films typically contain:
- •Strong or persistent profanity
- •Graphic violence or gore
- •Sexual content (though not as explicit as NC-17)
- •Drug use portrayed without consequence
- •Intense disturbing content
Christian considerations for R-rated films:
- •R ratings should be approached with extreme caution, if at all
- •Even R-rated films with "good messages" often deliver them through problematic content
- •Exposure to graphic content can desensitize and corrupt (Psalm 101:3)
- •Rare exceptions might exist for mature teens with strong discernment and parental discussion
- •Consider whether consuming this content honors God (Philippians 4:8)
Most Christian families establish R-rated content as off-limits, with rare exceptions (historical films like Schindler's List or Hacksaw Ridge) requiring careful parental evaluation and age-appropriate viewing.
NC-17 - No One 17 and Under Admitted
NC-17 indicates adult content only. These films contain explicit sexual content, extreme violence, or other adult material. For Christian families, NC-17 films should be considered completely off-limits.
The Biblical Foundation for Media Standards
Understanding ratings matters, but establishing your family's media standards requires biblical grounding. Let's examine the scriptural principles that should guide our approach.
Guarding What Enters Our Minds
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8).
This verse establishes clear criteria for media consumption. Notice Paul doesn't say "avoid whatever is explicitly sinful." He sets a much higher standard: pursue excellence, truth, and purity. A movie might avoid R-rated content but still fail this test by promoting cynicism, materialism, or selfishness.
Protecting the Heart
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23). Our entertainment choices aren't neutral—they shape our thoughts, influence our emotions, and form our character. What we watch becomes part of who we are.
Jesus emphasized this connection: "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness" (Matthew 6:22-23). We must consider whether the content we consume brings light or darkness into our lives.
Setting Apart from the World
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). Following Christ means adopting different standards than the surrounding culture. When the world says "it's just entertainment," we must ask whether that entertainment transforms us toward Christ-likeness or conformity to worldly patterns.
Testimony and Influence
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15). Our media choices affect not only ourselves but also our witness to others. When your children's friends discover what your family watches, does it point them toward or away from Christ?
Creating Your Family Media Standards
With biblical principles and rating knowledge in hand, you're ready to establish family standards. This isn't about legalism—it's about wisdom, protection, and honoring God with your entertainment choices.
Start with Prayer and Discussion
Before establishing rules, pray together as a family. Ask God for wisdom to create standards that honor Him while remaining practically applicable. Involve age-appropriate children in the discussion—when they help create the standards, they're more invested in following them.
Establish Clear Rating Guidelines
Create age-appropriate rating guidelines for your family. Here's a sample framework (adjust based on your convictions):
- •Preschool (Ages 3-5): G-rated films only, with parental pre-screening for content and themes
- •Elementary (Ages 6-11): G and carefully selected PG films, always pre-screened by parents
- •Preteen (Ages 12-13): G, PG, and select PG-13 films approved by parents after research
- •Teen (Ages 14-17): Up to PG-13 with increasing autonomy, occasional R-rated films only with explicit parental approval and discussion
- •Adults: Personal conviction within biblical boundaries
Remember: these are starting points, not hard rules. Some mature 11-year-olds might handle content that would trouble some 14-year-olds. Know your children and adjust accordingly.
Go Beyond Ratings with Content Categories
Ratings tell you quantity (how much inappropriate content), but not quality (what kind of messages). Create additional standards for content categories:
Language:
- •What level of profanity is acceptable? (None? Mild only? Depends on context?)
- •How do you handle taking God's name in vain?
- •What about crude humor or sexual innuendo?
Violence:
- •Is cartoon violence acceptable? What about realistic violence?
- •How much blood and gore is too much?
- •Does the film glorify violence or show its real consequences?
- •Is violence justified within the story, or gratuitous?
Sexual Content:
- •Where do you draw the line on romantic content?
- •How much immodesty is acceptable in costuming?
- •Does the film treat sexuality within God's design, or normalize sin?
- •How explicit can innuendo and suggestion be?
Spiritual Content:
- •How do you handle magic and witchcraft in fantasy contexts?
- •What about Eastern religious themes (reincarnation, karma, etc.)?
- •Is the supernatural portrayed accurately or trivialized?
- •Does the film mock Christianity or Christians?
Values and Messages:
- •Does the film promote biblical values or contradict them?
- •Are authority figures respected or mocked?
- •What does it teach about family, marriage, and relationships?
- •Does it glorify materialism, selfishness, or rebellion?
Write It Down
Document your family media standards clearly. Include:
- •Rating guidelines by age
- •Content boundaries for each category
- •Research expectations before viewing
- •Consequences for violating standards
- •Schedule for reviewing and updating standards
Post this document where family members can reference it. Clarity prevents conflicts and helps children internalize your values.
Practical Tools for Going Beyond Ratings
Ratings provide a starting point, but wise parents need additional resources for making informed decisions.
Common Sense Media
This nonprofit organization provides detailed reviews of movies, TV shows, games, books, and apps. Their reviews include:
- •Detailed content descriptions (violence, language, sexual content, etc.)
- •Age recommendations based on developmental appropriateness
- •Educational value and positive messages
- •Role model analysis
- •Parent and kid reviews
Common Sense Media isn't specifically Christian, but their detailed content breakdowns help you apply your own biblical standards. Visit commonsensemedia.org before allowing your children to watch something new.
Plugged In (Focus on the Family)
Plugged In provides entertainment reviews from a Christian perspective. Their reviews analyze:
- •Specific content concerns with detailed examples
- •Worldview and spiritual themes
- •Biblical discussion questions for families
- •Positive elements and teachable moments
While you may not always agree with their conclusions, Plugged In equips you with information to make your own decisions. Find reviews at pluggedin.com.
IMDb Parents Guide
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) includes user-contributed parents guides with specific content descriptions. While not as thorough as Common Sense Media, IMDb's guides often include scene-by-scene breakdowns of potentially problematic content.
Christian Movie Reviews
Several websites provide Christian-focused movie reviews:
- •ChristianAnswers.net - Detailed reviews with biblical analysis
- •MovieGuide.org - Reviews emphasizing family-friendly content
- •Christian Spotlight on Entertainment - Comprehensive Christian perspective
Preview Content Yourself
For younger children especially, preview content before family viewing. This allows you to:
- •Assess whether it meets your family standards
- •Prepare to fast-forward through problematic scenes
- •Plan discussion questions for after viewing
- •Identify teachable moments
Yes, this requires time investment, but protecting your children's hearts and minds is worth it.
Teaching Children to Apply Standards Themselves
Your ultimate goal isn't control—it's cultivating discernment. You won't always be there to make media decisions for your children. Equip them to apply biblical standards independently.
Explain the "Why" Behind Standards
Don't just impose rules—explain the biblical reasoning. Help children understand:
- •Why we guard our hearts and minds
- •How entertainment shapes our thoughts and values
- •What makes content honoring or dishonoring to God
- •Why our standards might differ from their friends' families
When children understand the purpose behind rules, they're more likely to internalize them.
Practice Evaluation Together
Watch movies together and discuss them afterward:
- •"What messages did this movie communicate?"
- •"Did the characters demonstrate biblical values?"
- •"What did you think about [specific scene or theme]?"
- •"How does this align with Philippians 4:8?"
- •"Would you recommend this to a friend? Why or why not?"
These discussions develop critical thinking and biblical discernment.
Give Age-Appropriate Autonomy
Gradually increase freedom as children demonstrate wisdom:
- •Elementary: Choose from parent-approved options
- •Preteen: Research and request approval for new content
- •Teen: Make most decisions independently with accountability
This progression prepares them for adult decision-making while providing safety nets during formative years.
Establish Accountability
Create systems for ongoing accountability:
- •Regular check-ins about media consumption
- •Shared accounts with parental access
- •Viewing history reviews (not as spying, but as accountability)
- •Open-door policies for discussing concerning content
Frame accountability as protection and guidance, not punishment.
Addressing Common Questions and Challenges
Every family faces challenges implementing media standards. Here's how to handle common scenarios:
"But All My Friends Watch It!"
Peer pressure presents one of the biggest challenges to family standards. Respond with empathy and conviction:
- •Acknowledge their feelings: "I understand it's hard to be different."
- •Explain your convictions: "We follow God's standards, not the world's standards."
- •Offer alternatives: "Let's find something you can watch with friends that meets our family standards."
- •Build confidence: "Our family's different because we belong to Jesus. That's something to be proud of."
Help children see distinctiveness as a badge of honor, not a burden.
What About Classics with Problematic Content?
Some beloved classic films contain content that wouldn't meet today's standards or your family's values. Options include:
- •Use edited versions (VidAngel, ClearPlay) if available
- •Watch together and discuss problematic elements
- •Skip certain scenes with explanation
- •Wait until children are mature enough for critical viewing
- •Choose whether nostalgia justifies exposure to questionable content
Don't assume "classic" means "appropriate"—apply the same standards consistently.
How Do I Handle Grandparents with Different Standards?
Extended family can complicate media standards. Navigate this sensitively:
- •Communicate your standards clearly and respectfully
- •Explain the biblical reasoning behind your choices
- •Provide lists of approved content for grandparent visits
- •Recognize grandparents' authority in their homes while maintaining your standards in yours
- •Debrief with children after visits if different standards were applied
Seek unity where possible while standing firm on non-negotiables.
What If I Disagree with My Spouse?
Parental unity matters enormously. When you disagree:
- •Discuss differences privately, not in front of children
- •Ground discussions in Scripture, not personal preferences
- •Consider whether you can defer to the stricter standard
- •Seek counsel from trusted Christian mentors if needed
- •Present a united front to children, even if you compromise
Never undermine your spouse's standards in front of children.
How Often Should We Review Our Standards?
Media standards should evolve as children mature and culture changes. Schedule regular reviews:
- •Annual comprehensive review of your family media plan
- •More frequent check-ins during transition years (5-6, 11-13, 17-18)
- •Immediate discussion when you encounter new challenges
- •Adjust based on each child's maturity and demonstrated wisdom
Flexibility within biblical principles demonstrates wisdom, not inconsistency.
Action Steps for Your Family
Ready to establish or refine your family media standards? Here's your roadmap:
This Week
- •Read Philippians 4:8 as a family and discuss what it means for entertainment choices
- •Review the MPAA rating system together so everyone understands it
- •Create accounts with Common Sense Media and Plugged In
- •Schedule a family meeting to discuss media standards
This Month
- •Hold your family meeting and establish written media standards
- •Create age-appropriate rating guidelines for each child
- •Identify content categories that matter most to your family
- •Research and approve a list of quality films that meet your standards
- •Watch one movie together and practice evaluation discussions
This Year
- •Build a library of family-approved content
- •Establish regular movie nights with discussion time
- •Gradually increase age-appropriate autonomy with accountability
- •Review and adjust standards quarterly as children mature
- •Model good media choices in your own viewing habits
The Long-Term Vision: Wisdom Beyond Childhood
The movie rating system will continue evolving, entertainment options will multiply, and your children will eventually make their own media choices without your oversight. But the discernment, biblical foundation, and wisdom you instill during their formative years will guide them throughout their lives.
You're not just teaching them about movie ratings—you're equipping them to evaluate all of life through a biblical lens. The child who learns to apply Philippians 4:8 to entertainment will apply it to friendships, career choices, and life decisions. The teenager who understands why your family maintains higher standards than the culture will maintain those standards in college and beyond.
This isn't about legalism or fear. It's about wisdom, stewardship, and honoring God with every area of life, including entertainment. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). That "whatever you do" includes what you watch, listen to, and allow into your mind.
Your faithful investment in establishing and maintaining family media standards honors God, protects your children's hearts and minds, and builds wisdom that will serve them for a lifetime. Start today. Be consistent. Trust God with the results. The effort you invest now will yield dividends for generations to come.