Current certificates

UNIVERSAL – All ages admitted. There is almost nothing unsuitable for children aged 4 years or over

PARENTAL GUIDANCE – All ages admitted, but some certain scenes can be unsuitable for young children. They should not disturb children aged 8 or older. May contain mild language or sex/drugs references. May contain moderate violence if justified by context (e.g fantasy). A parent may wish to check the content before they let their children watch it.

12A – this category applies to cinema only release since 2002. Films under this category is considered to be unsuitable for young children. Cinemas in the United Kingdom are only permitted to supply tickets to see a 12A film to children under the age of 21 if they are accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 or older. However, it is unlikely to be suitable for children under the age of 12.

Films under this category can only contain mature themes discrimination, soft drugs, infrequent strong language, very strong language (introduced in 2015) and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.

12 – this category applies to cinema releases from August 1989 to 2002, and home media since 1994. Only suitable for people aged 12 or older. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD, Blu-ray disc, UMD or video game with a 12 certificate to anyone under that age.

(12A related films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating. The content guidelines are identical to those used for the 12A certificate.)

15- Only suitable for people aged 15 or older. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD,Blu-ray Disc, UMD, video game, or film tickets with a 15 certificate to anyone under that age.

Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, regular use of foul language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphical detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context.

18 – only suitable for people aged 18 or older, which means adults only. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD, video game or film tickets with an 18 certificate to anyone under that age.

Films under this category do not have limitation on the foul language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and explicit sec references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticized or excessively graphic.

R18 – can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at licensed sex shops. It is illegal to sell a film with this rating to anyone under the age of 18, and it is also illegal to supply a film with this rating by mail order.

Films under this category always contain had-core pornography, defined as material intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous penetration and snowballing. There remains a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating: strong images of injury in BDSM or spanking words, urolagnia, scenes suggesting incest even if staged, references to underage sex or childhood development and aggressive behaviour such as hair-pulling or spiting on performer are not permitted. Moe cuts are demanded in this category than any category.