Theme – such films will not include themes or content that will upset younger children.

Violence – mild and unsustained. There will be an absence of blood or injury detail and any outcome will be reassuring.

Sexual content/nudity – very mild (e.g., kissing, dating, references to ‘making love’). In certain circumstances, non-sexual nudity may be acceptable.

Language – may include infrequent use of mild bad language and slang.

Drugs – forbidden unless clearly set within an educational context.^[142]

Theme – while more mature issues might be addressed (e.g., war, family issues) there will generally be a positive or redemptive resolution.

Violence – frightening sequences should not be sustained or graphic. However, some stronger violence may be permissible in what is clearly a fantasy or comic context.

Sexual content/nudity – mild; any sexual activity will be implied rather than depicted. Subtle innuendo may be accepted.

Language – mild. However, in rare instances, a PG film may contain infrequent strong language provided it is used discreetly and is contextually justified. Discriminatory or racist terms will only be acceptable if used in a clearly educational context.

Drugs – any references to drug use should be mild and will relate to soft drug use only. Where stronger references are made they will be set within a clearly educational context.^[143]

Theme – mature themes are acceptable (crime, bereavement, relationships, etc.) provided they are depicted in a fashion suitable for young teenagers (i.e., in such a way that they will already have been familiar with in their everyday lives). Themes of suicide or self-harm or other imitable behaviour will only be acceptable if depicted without detail and in a clearly educational context.

Violence – moderate violence and more prolonged threat/horror are acceptable at 12A. This is particularly the case when depicted in a fantasy context (common at this category). Stronger images of injury detail may be acceptable if justified by the context in which they are presented (i.e., in an accurate depiction of warfare).

Sexual content/nudity – sexual content (situations and dialogue) presented without explicit detail may be acceptable at 12A. Brief sexual nudity may also be acceptable.

Language – some infrequent strong language may be acceptable, but should be used in a non-aggressive manner. Use of discriminatory language should be justified by the overall context of the film.

Drugs – images of or references to soft drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context. Generally, content relating to hard drugs is not acceptable unless there is a clear anti-drug message and the misuse of drugs is not glamorized.^[144]

Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.^[145]

The guidelines for 12 are identical to the guidelines for 12A.^[146]

Theme – most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated.

Violence – this may be realistic but not gratuitous or focus on bloody injury. Strong gory images will only be permitted if justified by the context in which they are presented. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. Any such content in this category should be discreetly presented and contextually justified. Generally, horror in this category will be psychological in nature. Acts of sadism common to the genre are not permissible.

Sexual content/nudity – strong sex references may be acceptable. Scenes of a sexual nature may also be acceptable but will not be explicit or prolonged.

Language – strong language is allowed. Frequent or aggressive use of these terms will have to be justified within the context of the piece.

Drugs – scenes or dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is glamorization, instruction or encouragement as to use.^[147]

Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.^[145]

The guidelines for 15 are identical to the guidelines for 15A.^[148]

Theme – most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated.

Violence – this might be intensely depicted and may include some gory imagery. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. The portrayal of such content in this category should not be explicit and must have clear contextual justification. Strong horror and sustained threat may be acceptable but will not include the strongest images of sadism and torture.

Sexual content/nudity – strong sexual themes and content may be permissible provided it is not gratuitous.

Language – strong language is acceptable.

Drugs – themes and scenes relating to hard drug use might feature. However, any instructional or glamorised drug use, particularly involving teen protagonists, is unlikely to be acceptable.^[149]

Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.^[145]

Because there is no direct equivalent on video, a film rated 16 for cinema can get either a 15 or 18 on video, depending on its strength.^[149]

One of IFCO's guiding principles is that adults (i.e., persons over 18) should be free, within the law, to choose what they wish to view.^[150]

Cannot be supplied to anyone under the age of 12, and which has a suggestion for a "Responsible Adult" to be present if a younger person watches the film (no longer issued).

If re-released, the rating is automatically changed to 12 (exceptions are noted in brackets).

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Star Trek Generations (since re-rated PG in 2009)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (since re-rated PG on DVD)

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (re-rated 15 at first, then re-rated 12 in 2011)

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (since re-rated PG)

Only Fools and Horses – The Complete Series 7 (since re-rated PG)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (since re-rated PG)

Pleasantville

The Mask

Brendan Grace: Live at the Gleneagle, Killarney

Police Story 4: First Strike

The Bachelor

An Evening With Niall Toibin

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd

However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child.

Works in the same way as today's 12A. Introduced on 1 June 2001 and replaced by 12A on 1 January 2005.

Theme/Content – Likely to feature more mature themes, e.g. Involving crime, conflict, relationships, etc., but young persons of twelve and over will already be familiar with them from their television viewing.

Context – A flexibility of approach is retained whereby the context and impact of the film are viewed as a whole, rather than rating it only on the basis of one short image or scene.

Violence – Relatively mild or moderate and shouldn't be imitative, gratuitous, nor glamourised.

Sexual content/Nudity – Generally, only mild dialogue and natural non-sexual nudity are acceptable.

Drugs – Mild or brief images of 'soft' drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context, but normally no images of or references to 'hard' drugs are acceptable.

Language – Commonly used milder swear words may be acceptable, but not sexually violent, explicit or threatening language.^[154]

Hulk

Die Another Day

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child.

Works in the same way as today's 15A. Introduced on 1 June 2001 and replaced by 15A on 1 January 2005.

Theme/Content – Most themes/content will be acceptable with classification normally decided by the way the subject is treated. It is worth noting that our recent nationwide survey research confirms that both parents and adolescents often experience embarrassment when they view films featuring more mature themes (e.g. sexual activity or nudity) in each other's company.

Context – Modern adolescents of fifteen and older will generally be aware of, and be able to appreciate, the context of a film.

Violence – This may be realistic but not gratuitous, prolonged or overly bloody. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed.

Drugs – Scenes/dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is instruction or encouragement as to use.

Sexual content/Nudity – Mild/moderate sexual activity/nudity is acceptable, particularly when portrayed positively.^[155]

Alien vs. Predator

The Passion of the Christ

Bad Santa (this controversial decision led to the creation of the 16 rating – the extended cut is rated 18 on DVD)