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Rated R

Rated R is a film content rating issued by the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), a division of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), indicating that a motion picture contains material—such as adult themes, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually oriented nudity, or drug abuse—that parents may consider unsuitable for children under 17 without accompanying adult supervision.^[1] Introduced in November 1968 as part of a voluntary self-regulatory system to replace the prescriptive Hays Code production guidelines, the rating emerged alongside G (general audiences), M (later PG for mature/parental guidance), and X categories, with "R" explicitly denoting "Restricted" access to prevent unaccompanied minors from viewing.^[2] The system, devised under MPAA president Jack Valenti, aimed to provide empirical guidance to parents based on board assessments of content factors like violence, language, sensuality, and substance use, rather than moral censorship, and has since rated nearly 30,000 films over five decades.^[3]^[4] Distinguishing it from the milder PG-13 (suggesting parental caution for under-13s) and the adults-only NC-17 (replacing X in 1990 for explicit content barring all under 17), the R rating has become the most prevalent designation for theatrical releases, enabling mature storytelling in commercially successful films while influencing box-office potential through age restrictions and marketing descriptors.^[1]^[5] Its criteria, applied by a board of parents without rigid numerical thresholds, prioritize majority parental judgment on overall suitability, allowing variability in what qualifies—such as graphic depictions warranting cuts or appeals by filmmakers to avoid escalation.^[5] Defining characteristics include flexibility for contextual intensity over isolated elements, though this has sparked debates on consistency, with empirical critiques highlighting subjective enforcement that may incentivize self-censorship to secure wider audiences over unaltered artistic intent.^[6] Notable controversies underscore causal tensions between industry autonomy and public expectations: decisions like assigning R to documentaries for profanity (e.g., anti-bullying films) have prompted reform calls for clearer, less punitive language thresholds, while high-profile appeals over sexual content reveal board sensitivities potentially diverging from average parental tolerances, as evidenced by reversed ratings after edits.^[8]^[9] Despite such friction, the rating's endurance reflects its role in averting governmental intervention, fostering causal realism in content warnings that empirically correlate with reduced surprise exposures for families, though data on long-term behavioral impacts remain limited and contested beyond self-reported surveys.^[10]

Film and Media Ratings

Origins and History of the MPAA R Rating

The Motion Picture Production Code, informally known as the Hays Code, was established by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA, predecessor to the MPAA) on March 31, 1930, as a set of self-imposed guidelines prohibiting depictions of immorality, profanity, crime, and other sensitive content to preempt federal censorship.^[11] Enforced rigorously from July 1, 1934, via the Production Code Administration, the code aimed to standardize moral content across films and maintain industry autonomy amid public and religious pressure for regulation.^[11] By the mid-1950s, however, enforcement waned due to court rulings like Miracle v. New York (1952), which struck down bans on films with religious themes, and growing artistic challenges, such as exceptions granted for nudity in The Pawnbroker (1964).^[12] Films like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) were released with advisory labels suggesting adult audiences, signaling the code's obsolescence.^[13] Jack Valenti assumed the presidency of the MPAA in May 1966, inheriting a system vulnerable to government intervention following Supreme Court decisions that curtailed local censorship boards while heightening scrutiny on explicit content.^[14] Valenti, a former aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson, advocated replacing prescriptive censorship with a voluntary ratings mechanism to empower parental choice and shield the industry from legislative threats, as evidenced by contemporaneous calls for federal oversight amid cultural shifts like the sexual revolution.^[15]^[12] This approach prioritized self-regulation, drawing on the industry's history of averting antitrust scrutiny through cooperative standards, while addressing exhibitor concerns over unrated films driving away family audiences.^[16] On November 1, 1968, the MPAA implemented its Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), inaugurating a four-tier voluntary system: G (general audiences), M (mature audiences, reclassified as PG in 1972), R (restricted), and X (no one under 17 admitted).^[2] The R rating, denoting "Restricted," permitted films with adult themes, profanity, violence, or sexual content unsuitable for children under 17 without parental or guardian accompaniment, thereby balancing artistic freedom with age-based access controls.^[17] This category emerged as a pragmatic middle ground, allowing theaters to admit minors under supervision rather than blanket bans, in contrast to the X rating's stricter exclusion.^[17] Early applications underscored the R rating's role in accommodating edgier Hollywood output; The Split (1968), starring Jim Brown and Gene Hackman, became the first film officially rated R upon its November 4 release, cited for violence and profanity.^[18] Subsequent titles like Rosemary's Baby (1968) and Medium Cool (1969) received R designations for thematic intensity and social commentary, reflecting the system's intent to guide rather than censor.^[19] By enabling nuanced content distribution without reverting to Hays-era prohibitions, the R rating facilitated the industry's transition to post-code realism, though it quickly comprised over half of rated releases in ensuing decades.^[19]

Criteria and Application Process

The R rating, designated as "Restricted," is assigned by the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA) to motion pictures containing adult material deemed unsuitable for children under 17 without accompanying parental or adult guardian supervision.^[1] This includes elements such as adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse, or other content that most American parents would consider inappropriate for unsupervised minors.^[1] ^[3] The criteria are not rigidly codified with quantitative thresholds—such as specific counts of profanity or violence—but instead rely on the board's assessment of overall intensity and context to reflect prevailing parental standards.^[1] For instance, use of the word "fuck" in a sexual context automatically warrants an R, while pervasive coarse language or graphic depictions may contribute to the rating without exhaustive enumeration.^[20] Films receiving an R rating are also assigned one or more rating descriptors to specify the nature of the content, such as "strong bloody violence," "pervasive language," or "sexual content," which highlight the primary elements driving the classification but do not comprise an exhaustive list.^[1] These descriptors are determined post-screening by the board chairperson or senior rater in consultation with raters, based on the final voting ballots.^[1] The rating board, composed of 13 to 15 regular raters who are primarily parents (often stay-at-home mothers) from diverse backgrounds, views the submitted film in its entirety and evaluates it against these qualitative guidelines.^[3] Decisions emerge from a process involving preliminary individual ballots, group discussion to foster consensus, and secret final ballots, with the majority vote prevailing.^[1] To apply for a rating, filmmakers must first establish an online profile via CARA's submission portal at carafilmratings.com, providing necessary contact and production details.^[21] Upon completion, CARA schedules the earliest available screening date, which may be expedited if all materials and agreements are submitted promptly; producers are notified of the date and required fees, which scale by production category (A for major studio films, B for mid-budget, C for independents) and negative cost—for example, $27,000 for high-budget A-category films exceeding $75 million.^[21] Payments are due 15 business days prior to screening via wire, ACH, or check.^[21] Physical delivery of the finished film or screener (in formats like hard drives, DVDs, or secure digital links) occurs to CARA's Sherman Oaks, California office between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with pickup available on screening day using a designated number.^[21] Post-screening, the assigned rating and descriptors are issued promptly, though producers may request re-edits and resubmission if seeking a less restrictive classification.^[3]

Enforcement, Appeals, and Legal Aspects

The Motion Picture Association's (MPA) R rating, indicating that children under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian, is enforced primarily by theaters through age verification policies, such as requiring photo identification for unaccompanied minors.^[16] This practice stems from agreements among major theater chains, including members of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), which voluntarily commit to upholding rating restrictions to maintain family-friendly standards and avoid potential civil liabilities from parental lawsuits over content exposure.^[15] However, enforcement varies by theater, with no centralized penalties from the MPA for non-compliance, as the system relies on exhibitors' self-interest in preserving audience trust rather than mandatory audits.^[22] Filmmakers dissatisfied with an R rating may appeal through the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), submitting a formal request to the Rating Appeals Board, composed of industry representatives including exhibitors, distributors, and guild members.^[23] The board reviews the film's content, with a successful appeal requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote determining the initial rating "clearly erroneous"; only one appeal is permitted per version of the film, and two total per motion picture.^[1]^[24] Appeal success rates remain low, at approximately 0.6% of rated films since the system's inception, reflecting the board's emphasis on consistent application of criteria like intense violence, pervasive language, or sexual content warranting restriction.^[25] Legally, the MPA rating system holds no statutory force, operating as a voluntary industry self-regulation mechanism established in 1968 to preempt federal censorship laws following the decline of the Hays Code.^[22] Courts have upheld its constitutionality under the First Amendment, viewing it as private speech rather than government-imposed restriction, with no penalties for unrated releases or theater non-enforcement beyond potential contract disputes among industry participants.^[15] Isolated challenges, such as appeals tied to political content in films like Unplanned (2019), have failed to alter ratings through legal means, underscoring the system's insulation from judicial override absent evidence of antitrust violations or deceptive practices.^[26] Theaters face indirect legal pressures via state obscenity laws or parental tort claims, but these do not derive from ratings themselves, preserving the framework's non-binding status.^[22]

Impact on the Film Industry and Culture

The introduction of the R rating in November 1968 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) enabled filmmakers to explore mature themes, violence, language, and sexuality without the strict moral oversight of the preceding Hays Code, fostering the New Hollywood era characterized by gritty, realistic narratives in films such as The Godfather (1972), which grossed over $250 million domestically despite its R designation. This shift correlated with a surge in adult-oriented content, as studios capitalized on audiences seeking authentic depictions of social issues, contributing to box office revenues that peaked for R-rated films in the 1970s before audience fragmentation. However, empirical analyses indicate that R ratings generally reduce opening weekend performance by limiting access to underage viewers, with PG-13 films earning $15–34 million more on average, all else equal, prompting studios to edit content for broader appeal and prioritizing franchise blockbusters over standalone R-rated projects.^[27]^[28] Economically, while over 50% of MPAA-rated films since 1968 have received an R designation, reflecting its prevalence in production, the rating's revenue constraints have skewed Hollywood toward PG-13 tentpoles, with R-rated releases comprising a disproportionate share relative to their per-film profitability compared to G or PG equivalents from 1989–2003. Notable exceptions, such as Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), which became one of only two R-rated films to exceed $1 billion worldwide, demonstrate that targeted marketing to adult demographics and genre appeal (e.g., superhero satire) can overcome restrictions, yet such outliers remain rare amid industry data showing R films underperform in stochastic dominance tests against less restrictive ratings. This dynamic has influenced content creation, encouraging self-censorship to avoid NC-17 (which further hampers distribution) and inflating violence in PG-13 films to levels once exclusive to R, as evidenced by comparative content analyses from 1985–2003.^[29]^[30]^[31] Culturally, the R system has normalized explicit portrayals of adult experiences in mainstream cinema, broadening societal discourse on topics like war trauma (Saving Private Ryan, 1998) and psychological horror (Joker, 2019), but longitudinal studies link adolescent exposure—often bypassing restrictions—to heightened sensation-seeking, alcohol initiation, and smoking experimentation, with effects amplified among high-sensation seekers. Despite intentions to shield youth, surveys reveal widespread underage access to R-rated violent content, correlating with behavioral risks independent of parental oversight, while religiosity declines have been observed in viewers of such films during formative years. These findings underscore enforcement challenges, as parental restrictions demonstrably mitigate risks like future cigarette use, yet cultural permeation persists through home video and streaming, raising causal questions about media's role in desensitization versus reflection of societal trends.^[32]^[33]^[34]

Criticisms and Controversies

Critics have long argued that the MPAA's application of the R rating exhibits inconsistency, particularly in treating sexual content and profanity more restrictively than graphic violence. For instance, films depicting intense battlefield carnage, such as Saving Private Ryan (1998), received a PG-13 rating despite prolonged sequences of realistic dismemberment and death, while movies with brief nudity or simulated sex often earn an R, even absent comparable violence.^[35]^[36] This disparity is evidenced in analyses showing that 57% of rated films cited violence in explanations without triggering higher restrictions, compared to harsher scrutiny for sex/nudity in 57% of cases, suggesting a cultural tolerance for violence that does not extend to eroticism.^[36]^[37] The rating's threshold for language has drawn particular scrutiny, with a single use of certain profanities—such as the word "fuck"—frequently sufficient to warrant an R, irrespective of context or overall maturity. In The King's Speech (2010), multiple utterances of profanity in a historical drama about stuttering therapy led to an initial R designation, which filmmakers appealed successfully to PG-13, highlighting the mechanical nature of such decisions.^[38] Similarly, The Breakfast Club (1985) received an R primarily for dialogue, despite lacking explicit sex or gore, a choice critics like Roger Ebert deemed overly punitive for teen-oriented content.^[38] Quantitative reviews confirm that language accounts for 77% of rating rationales across films, often overriding milder thematic elements.^[36] Controversies have also arisen over perceived biases against independent or non-mainstream films, where R ratings are applied more stringently than to studio blockbusters. The documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) exposed the MPAA's opaque process, including anonymous raters drawn disproportionately from conservative demographics, leading to accusations of systemic favoritism toward Hollywood productions.^[9] Cases like Bully (2011), rated R for bullying-related harassment rather than physical violence, sparked public outcry and lawsuits against theaters for enforcing the restriction on minors, underscoring how R designations can limit access to socially relevant documentaries.^[39] Appeals processes, while available, rarely succeed without cuts; Blue Valentine (2010) initially faced NC-17 for a consensual sex scene but was downgraded to R after contestation, illustrating the leverage of editing to evade box-office penalties.^[25] Legal challenges to R ratings have been limited, as the system remains voluntary and lacks statutory enforcement, though courts have upheld theaters' rights to deny unrated or restricted films. Efforts to reform, such as proposals for violence-specific descriptors, have faltered amid MPAA resistance, with over 50% of rated films receiving R since the system's inception, prompting debates on whether it overly constrains artistic expression or inadequately warns parents.^[29]^[9] Independent analyses, including those from the Kaiser Family Foundation, argue that conflating sex with violence in ratings fails to reflect empirical harms, as studies link exposure patterns differently across content types.^[40]

Uses in Music

Notable Albums and Releases

Queens of the Stone Age's second studio album, Rated R, was released on June 6, 2000, by Interscope Records, marking the band's major-label debut and featuring bassist Nick Oliveri and vocalist Mark Lanegan as key contributors.^[41] The album's title evokes the MPAA's Restricted rating for films, aligning with its themes of excess, as exemplified by the opening track "Feel Good Hit of the Summer," which lists drugs including cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol in a raw, unfiltered manner.^[42] Spanning 42 minutes across 13 tracks, it blends stoner rock with alternative metal elements, achieving commercial success by peaking at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 and earning gold certification in several countries for sales exceeding 500,000 units.^[41] Rihanna's fourth studio album, also titled Rated R, arrived on November 20, 2009, via Def Jam Recordings, produced amid personal turmoil following her high-profile assault by then-partner Chris Brown earlier that year.^[43] The title deliberately nods to mature, unrestricted content, reflecting the record's darker, more aggressive tone with dance-pop, R&B, and electro influences across 11 tracks, including singles like "Russian Roulette" and "Rude Boy," which topped charts in multiple territories.^[43] Debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 193,000 copies, it has been certified platinum by the RIAA for over one million units sold in the US, praised for its raw emotional intensity despite initial commercial hurdles due to controversy.^[43] In 2023, American rock band Red issued their eighth studio album, Rated R, on November 10, through the label So Called Records, their first full-length release in three years and a return to heavier alternative metal sounds after a period of lineup changes.^[44] The title underscores the album's explicit lyrical content addressing themes of inner conflict and societal decay, as heard in tracks like "Cold World" and "Minus It All," with production emphasizing dense guitar riffs and orchestral elements characteristic of the band's style.^[44] Released amid a resurgence in the Christian rock scene, it debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, signaling sustained fan engagement for the group formed in 2002.^[44]

Cultural Significance in Music

In music, the term "Rated R" lacks a formal rating system akin to the MPAA's film classifications, instead serving as a metaphorical or titular descriptor for content featuring explicit language, mature themes, violence, or sexuality, often aligning with the Recording Industry Association of America's Parental Advisory label introduced in 1985 to warn of potentially offensive material.^[45] This usage reflects a cultural shift toward unfiltered artistic expression, enabling artists to explore darker, personal narratives that challenge mainstream sensibilities and influence genre boundaries, particularly in rock and pop where such labeling signals artistic maturity over commercial sanitization.^[46] Rihanna's 2009 album Rated R, released nine months after her publicized domestic violence incident with Chris Brown, exemplifies this significance by transforming personal trauma into a bold artistic statement, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 with over 180,000 first-week sales and earning platinum certification from the RIAA by January 2010 for one million units shipped.^[47] The record's atmospheric rock-influenced pop and hip-hop elements, including tracks like "Russian Roulette" and "Rockstar 101," positioned Rihanna as a resilient, genre-defying figure—often dubbed "Bad Girl Riri"—reclaiming her public image in a post-incident era and paving the way for her evolution into a more experimental artist across subsequent works.^[48] Critics noted its role in elevating her from pop commodity to serious auteur, with sales exceeding three million worldwide and singles like "Rude Boy" topping charts, underscoring how "Rated R" branding normalized raw vulnerability in mainstream music amid heightened media scrutiny.^[43] Similarly, Queens of the Stone Age's 2000 album Rated R marked a pivotal mainstream breakthrough for desert rock, blending stoner influences with eclectic collaborations—including Judas Priest's Rob Halford on "Feel Good Hit of the Summer"—and peaking at number 14 on the Billboard 200 while achieving gold status in multiple countries.^[49] Its risqué lyrics and sonic experimentation, from the drug-referencing opener to tracks like "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret," helped legitimize the genre's raw, hedonistic ethos, influencing subsequent alternative rock acts and expanding audience tolerance for provocative content beyond underground circuits.^[50] Overall, "Rated R" in music titles has culturally signified resistance to censorship, fostering an environment where explicitness correlates with authenticity and commercial viability—evident in the genre's statistical rise, where explicit tracks comprised over 20% of Billboard Hot 100 entries by the 2010s—while prompting debates on artistic freedom versus societal impact, as seen in voluntary industry self-regulation rather than mandated ratings.^[46] This framing has empowered artists to prioritize thematic depth, contributing to broader acceptance of mature content in streaming eras dominated by on-demand access.^[51]

Uses in Professional Wrestling and Entertainment

Wrestlers and Personas

The "Rated-R Superstar" persona, primarily associated with professional wrestler Adam Copeland (performing as Edge), emerged in late 2005 during WWE programming. Copeland, who had been sidelined by a torn Achilles tendon earlier that year, began referring to himself by this moniker on his in-ring talk segment The Cutting Edge, signaling a shift toward a more mature, boundary-pushing character suited to content beyond family-friendly standards.^[52] This persona debuted in full during his return match against Ric Flair at New Year's Revolution on January 8, 2006, where he employed hardcore tactics including weapons and high-impact maneuvers.^[53] Central to the Rated-R Superstar's characterization were elements of opportunism, cunning manipulation, and a rock-star-like edginess, often involving explicit storylines such as an on-screen affair with Lita (Amy Dumas) that drew from real-life controversies and incorporated simulated sexual content, barbed-wire matches, and incendiary promos.^[54] ^[53] Copeland's portrayal emphasized psychological warfare, exemplified by his cash-in of the Money in the Bank briefcase on January 8, 2006, to dethrone John Cena for the WWE Championship via a Con-Chair-To—a steel chair-assisted spear—highlighting the persona's ruthless pragmatism over heroic ideals.^[55] The gimmick thrived in WWE's Ruthless Aggression era, peaking with 11 world title reigns and high-profile feuds against Mick Foley, Batista, and The Undertaker, where matches frequently featured tables, ladders, and extreme stipulations to underscore the "R"-rated intensity.^[55] While no other wrestlers formally adopted a "Rated R" gimmick as a core identity, elements influenced contemporaries; Randy Orton embodied a similar viperish, unpredictable aggression often described in fan and media analyses as "Rated R" in style, though without the explicit branding.^[56] Copeland himself later identified Seth Rollins as a successor carrying forward the persona's manipulative, high-stakes flair in modern wrestling narratives.^[57] The Rated-R Superstar evolved post-2011 retirement and 2020 return, blending with Copeland's real-life maturity in promotions like AEW, but retained core traits of adaptability and controversy-driven storytelling.^[58] This persona solidified Copeland's legacy as a 2012 WWE Hall of Famer, credited with bridging WWE's Attitude Era edginess into subsequent periods while maximizing in-ring psychology and audience provocation.^[55] The Rated-R Superstar persona of Edge, introduced in late 2005, was precipitated by a real-life extramarital affair between Edge and Lita (Amy Dumas), which WWE incorporated into on-screen storylines following Matt Hardy's public disclosure and temporary release from the company.^[59]^[60] This feud culminated in Hardy's return and a singles match against Edge at SummerSlam on August 14, 2005, where Edge defeated Hardy.^[61] A pivotal event occurred at New Year's Revolution on January 8, 2006, when Edge cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on an injured John Cena to win the WWE Championship, marking his first world title in the promotion.^[62] The following episode of Raw on January 9, 2006, featured Edge and Lita's "Live Sex Celebration" segment in the ring, which simulated intercourse and drew a 5.2 Nielsen rating—the highest for any Raw segment at that time—while sparking backlash for its explicit content.^[63]^[64] Edge's Rated-R gimmick influenced several high-profile pay-per-view matches, including a hardcore "Street Fight" against Mick Foley at WrestleMania 22 on April 2, 2006, where Edge retained the WWE Championship after spearing Foley through a flaming table.^[62] This period also saw Edge form the tag team Rated-RKO with Randy Orton in October 2006, leading to victories over D-Generation X and capturing the World Tag Team Championships at Cyber Sunday on November 5, 2006.^[65] In media, Edge hosted "The Cutting Edge," a Raw talk show segment from 2006 onward that amplified his provocative persona through celebrity interviews and confrontations, such as with John Cena and Shawn Michaels.^[61] WWE produced custom merchandise and entrances emphasizing the Rated-R theme, including a spinner-style WWE Championship belt unveiled during his second reign in 2007, which Edge later expressed dissatisfaction with due to its design deviating from traditional aesthetics. Documentaries like WWE's retrospective coverage in "25 Greatest Edge Moments" (aired June 21, 2023) highlight these elements, focusing on the persona's role in elevating Edge to 11-time world champion status between 2006 and 2011.^[66]

Other Uses and Disambiguations

In Video Games and Television

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) assigns "Mature" (M) ratings to video games intended for players aged 17 and older, a classification often equated with the MPAA's R rating due to content involving intense violence, blood and gore, sexual themes, partial nudity, or strong language. For example, the Grand Theft Auto V (2013) received an M rating for its depictions of grand theft auto, drug reference, intense violence, mature humor, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs, and use of alcohol. Similarly, The Last of Us Part II (2020) earned an M rating for graphic violence, strong language, and sexual content, reflecting narrative elements comparable to R-rated films in their unflinching portrayal of human conflict and trauma. The "Adults Only" (AO) rating, rarer and typically barring console distribution, applies to even more explicit material, such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) initially for its "Hot Coffee" mod enabling sexual mini-games, though revisions later adjusted it to M.^[67] Television programs utilize the TV Parental Guidelines, where TV-MA denotes mature audiences, unsuitable for those under 17 without guidance, akin to R-rated content for reasons including graphic violence, explicit sexual activity, or pervasive coarse language. Game of Thrones (2011–2019) was consistently rated TV-MA for its frequent nudity, strong sexual content, and brutal violence, such as beheadings and sexual assaults integral to its medieval fantasy plot. The Walking Dead (2010–2022) also carried a TV-MA rating across seasons for intense zombie gore, psychological horror, and profanity, with episodes featuring dismemberment and survivalist brutality that parallel R-rated horror cinema. These ratings, monitored by the Television Rating Code enforced since 1997, allow broadcasters flexibility but require on-screen descriptors for violence (V), language (L), suggestive dialogue (D), sexual content (S), and fantasy violence (FV). While "Rated R" is not an official designation for video games or television—reserved for theatrical films—media creators and critics often reference it to underscore unrestricted artistic freedom or market appeal. In Australia, the Classification Board has applied R18+ ratings to games like Manhunt (2003), effectively restricting them to adults for extreme violence, using terminology that echoes MPAA restrictions.^[67] Such comparisons highlight causal links between mature ratings and commercial success, as developers prioritize unfiltered storytelling over broader accessibility, though empirical studies link exposure to violent M-rated games with short-term aggression increases in youth, per meta-analyses of experimental data.^[68]

Miscellaneous References

The term "Rated R" has permeated popular culture beyond formal media ratings, often used metaphorically to denote content involving profanity, violence, or mature themes in contexts like sports events. For example, during the 1994 Winter Olympics, marked by scandals including sex tapes and athlete assaults, a New York Times column argued the Games merited an "R" rating for their dramatic intensity and ethical lapses, highlighting how real-world spectacles can evoke cinematic restrictions on minors.^[69] In professional baseball, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.P. Howell described fan heckling in 2017 as featuring "R-rated" catcalls laden with explicit insults, illustrating the phrase's application to live audience behavior deemed unsuitable for younger spectators.^[70] In literature, novels lack an official rating system akin to the MPAA's, relying instead on genre labels, age categories like young adult, or content warnings; however, "Rated R" is informally applied by readers and online communities to books with graphic depictions of sex, violence, or language, comparable to film criteria. Platforms such as Goodreads feature user-generated shelves aggregating such titles, including fantasy series like R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing trilogy, praised for its unflinching brutality and philosophical depth despite the mature elements.^[71] Discussions in publishing forums emphasize this ad hoc usage, as no standardized body enforces book ratings, leaving assessment to parental discretion or retailer advisories.^[72]

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The study found that the movie industry produced nearly 12 times more R-rated films than G-rated from 1989 –2003 (1533 and 123 respectively), but the average G- ...
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Do MPAA Ratings Affect Box Office Revenues? - ResearchGate
A movie rated PG-13 will earn between $15M – $34M more than an R-rated movie, all else equal. Keywords: movie revenues, MPAA, box office<|separator|>
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MPAA report: over half of films have been rated R - Vox
Oct 30, 2018 · More than half of the movies that have been rated by the MPAA since the system's creation have received the R rating.
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Does Hollywood Make Too Many R‐Rated Movies? Risk, Stochastic ...
Aug 7, 2025 · This paper estimates the probability distributions of budgets, revenues, returns and profits to G-, PG-, PG13-, and R-rated movies.
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The Effectiveness of the Motion Picture Association of America's ...
Apr 2, 2010 · Explicit violence in R-rated films increased, while films that would previously have been rated R were increasingly assigned to PG-13. This ...
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R-rated Movie Viewing, Growth in Sensation Seeking and Alcohol ...
Specifically, the effect of R-rated movie viewing on the initiation of alcohol use is stronger for high than for low sensation seeking adolescents (positive ...
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R-rated movies increase likelihood of underage children trying alcohol
Mar 12, 2010 · A new study finds one more reason why parents should not let their kids watch those movies: adolescents who watch R-rated movies are more likely to try alcohol ...
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Exposure of US Adolescents to Extremely Violent Movies - PMC - NIH
This study documents widespread exposure of young US adolescents to movies with extreme graphic violence from movies rated R for violence.Abstract · Figure 1 · Adolescent Exposure To...
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Violence, Sex, and Profanity in Films: Correlation of Movie Ratings ...
We found that of the 1218 films that received rating reasons, 689 received them for sex/nudity (57%), 692 for violence (57%), and 940 for language (77%).
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The sex, drugs and violence contained in MPAA ratings
Sep 23, 2018 · The blue charts below show what percentage of movies of each genre mentioned elements of violence or terror in their MPAA explanation. As you ...
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10 Movies That Seriously Didn't Deserve Their R Rating
Dec 7, 2023 · 10 Stand By Me (1986) · 9 The King's Speech (2010) · 8 The Breakfast Club (1985) · 7 Bully (2011) · 6 When Harry Met Sally... (1989) · 5 Boyhood ( ...
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The Controversy Over the R Rating for The Weinstein Company's ...
Mar 14, 2012 · The MPAA should stop punishing films that simply candidly and honestly depict the truth about the subjects they address.Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
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[PDF] Rating Sex and Violence in the Media - KFF
Some studies have indicated that the MPAA's age-based ratings may attract the very audiences they are designed to protect. The National Television Violence ...
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Rated R - Queens of the Stone Age | Album - AllMusic
Rating 8.7/10 (2,952) Release Date: June 6, 2000. Duration: 42:10. Genre: Pop/Rock. Styles: Alternative Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal.
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'Rated R': How Queens Of The Stone Age Became Rock Royalty
Recalling the menace of Iggy Pop in his prime, 'Rated R' was a freewheeling classic that took Queens Of The Stone Age into the mainstream.
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'Rated R': Rihanna's Fearless Journey To The Darkside
Rather than turning away from her trauma, Rihanna remerged with her most revelatory and defiant work to date with her 'Rated R' album.
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RED Announce New Album "Rated R", First Studio Effort In Three ...
Aug 4, 2023 · RED Announce New Album “Rated R”, First Studio Effort In Three Years · RED Releases Double-Sided Single, “Cold World” / “Minus It All” Off ...
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How the Parental Advisory label was actioned
The 'Parental Advisory' label changed how we buy and listen to music. From its birth in 1985, this small black and white sticker symbolised music control and ...
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The Rise of Explicit Music: A Statistical Analysis. - Stat Significant
Jun 29, 2023 · We'll explore the rise of explicit music, the artists and genres most responsible for producing explicit works, and the musical composition of mature content.
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Rihanna's 'Rated R' at 10: How It Changed Her Career - Billboard
Nov 23, 2019 · But more than delivering another chart-topping single, Rated R showed that Rihanna was a serious artist in it for the long haul.Missing: significance | Show results with:significance
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Revisiting Rihanna's 'Rated R': A Renaissance Era - Highsnobiety
Nov 20, 2019 · Rated R was Rihanna deconstructed, serving as a reclamation of both her private and public personas in an increasingly panoptic age. It was the ...
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How QOTSA's Rated R brought desert rock into the mainstream
Jun 6, 2020 · Rated R remains a captivatingly transitional statement that helped bring desert rock – with all of its multifaceted aesthetics and risqué exuberances – into ...
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The story of Rated R, Queens Of The Stone Age's strange, brilliant ...
May 31, 2025 · As fully-formed an album as Rated R is, there were two huge songs from it that felt like QOTSA landmarks. Between them, they summed up ...
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Music Rating System - Feed.fm
Feed.fm's system categorizes music as clean, explicit, or censored, then rates it G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17 based on words and themes.
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Why Is Edge The Rated-R Superstar & 9 More Questions About ...
Jun 6, 2023 · The nickname first came after he dubbed himself it during an episode of his Cutting Edge talk show. It was done because his actions were often over the top and ...
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Edge Played His 'Rated-R Superstar' Character Like A Sleazy Rock ...
Mar 30, 2021 · Edge played his 'Rated-R Superstar' character like a sleazy rock star, but now it's 'more of me out there, warts and all'.
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https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1228718-edge-rated-r-rock-star-warts-and-all-today
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Edge - WWE
A shy high schooler from the little town of Orangeville, Ontario, evolved into The Rated-R Superstar.
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PG Or Rated R: How Are These 15 Wrestlers Better? - TheSportster
Apr 21, 2017 · Randy Orton: Rated R. via wallpapersafari.com. Randy Orton very much has the business of professional wrestling coursing through his veins.
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Edge Reveals Who Is The 'Rated R Superstar' Of This Generation
Mar 11, 2023 · This persona saw Edge reach new heights in WWE with that gimmick ... He also gave a huge nod to Seth Rollins for carrying on with the Rated R ...
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The 5 Qualities That Defined The Rated-R Superstar - Wrestlezone
Apr 18, 2011 · 1) Adaptability. This quality cannot be driven home enough. · 2) Work Rate. Pitting two wrestlers with completely different styles against each ...
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Edge & Lita's Controversial Romance Changed WWE Forever (2005 ...
Oct 12, 2025 · The pairing transformed Edge into the Rated R Superstar, one of the most controversial and unforgettable personas of the Ruthless Aggression Era ...
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Matt Hardy, Lita and Edge were in a controversial love triangle ...
Jul 3, 2025 · Matt Hardy, Lita and Edge were in a controversial love triangle storyline in the 2000s. Lita had been dating Matt Hardy for a long time, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Evolution of Edge: A Look Back at the Rated R Superstar
Jun 7, 2018 · It's 1998. The Attitude Era is in full effect. With the likes of Stone Cold, The Rock, Triple H and The Undertaker dominating the wrestling ...
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Edge's Best, Worst and Most Infamous Moments in WWE Career
Oct 30, 2020 · Just 24 hours after cashing in Money in the Bank for his first WWE Championship, Edge promised an explicit Live Sex Celebration the next night ...
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"WWE Raw" Edge and Lita's Live Sex Celebration (TV Episode 2006)
Rating 7.7/10 (35) Release date · January 9, 2006 (United States) · Filming locations · Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA · See more company credits at IMDbPro ...
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RAW ratings rise - WWE
Edge and Lita's live sex celebration proved to be the highest rated segment of Monday's show, delivering a 5.2. This marked the first time RAW reached a 5 ...
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Edge - Pro Wrestling Wiki - Fandom
During his time off, he starred in his own talk show segment on Raw entitled The Cutting Edge, dubbing himself the "Rated-R Superstar". Edge used his talk ...
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25 greatest Edge moments: WWE Top 10 special edition, June 21 ...
Jun 21, 2023 · Watch the most important moments of Edge's 25-year WWE Hall of ... "Rated R Superstar" Adam Copeland has arrived at ALL ELITE WRESTLING! | ...
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Video Games with Adults Only Ratings - G2A News
Mar 7, 2024 · GTA: San Andreas received an AO rating and became one of the few games rated R in Australia. In 2005, Rockstar Games released a revised version ...
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Association Between Television, Movie, and Video Game Exposure ...
Oct 1, 2006 · ... videos that are rated R?” (never, once in a while, sometimes, or all the time). We asked specifically about R-rated movies because in the ...
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Sports of The Times; Olympics Should Be Rated 'R' - The New York ...
Sports|Sports of The Times; Olympics Should Be Rated 'R' ... brands. Company That Bought Publishers Clearing ... U.S. · World · Politics · New York · Education ...
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New Blue Jay J.P. Howell says Toronto hecklers come prepared ...
Feb 15, 2017 · “Oh, man, they're all rated R,” he said. “There are a lot of 'em. Plenty of 'em. They get to you. It makes it a little wavy out there. It ...
[70]
Popular Rated R Books - Goodreads
Popular Rated R Books ; A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas. A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1 ; Bared to You Sylvia Day. Bared ...
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Do novels have age ratings or even unofficial ones? For ... - Quora
Apr 9, 2020 · There's no rating system for novels, other than categorization by YA (Young Adult) or genre (Horror, Westerns, Romance, etc.). We rely primarily ...