Classifications
The board uses the following motion picture rating system for theatrical releases in the province:
Ratings used from 1946 - 1953:
- (No classification) - Film appropriate for viewing by a person of any age.
- Adult Entertainment - Film may be viewed by persons of any age, although its content may not necessarily be suitable for children.
Ratings used from c. 1953 - 1986:
- (No classification) - Film appropriate for viewing by a person of any age.
- Adult Entertainment - Film may be viewed by persons of any age, although its content may not necessarily be suitable for children.
- Restricted - Film restricted to persons 18 years of age or older.
Ratings used from 1986 - 2001:
- Family - Film appropriate for viewing by a person of any age.
- Parental Guidance - Parents should exercise discretion in permitting a child to view the film.
- Adult Accompaniment - Film restricted to persons 14 years of age or older or to persons younger than 14 years of age who are accompanied by an adult.
- Restricted - Film restricted to persons 18 years of age or older.
The ratings used from 2001–present:
- General - Suitable for viewers of all ages.
- Parental Guidance - Parental guidance is advised. Theme or content may not be suitable for all children.
- 14A - Suitable for viewing by persons 14 years of age and older. Persons under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. May contain: violence, coarse language and/or sexually suggestive scenes.
- 18A - Suitable for viewing by persons 18 years of age and older. Persons under 18 may attend but must be accompanied by an adult. May contain: explicit violence, frequent coarse language, sexual activity and/or horror.
- Restricted - Admittance restricted to persons 18 years of age and over. Content not suitable for minors. May contain: frequent use of sexual activity, brutal/graphic violence, intense horror and/or other disturbing content.
These ratings include a set of Content Advisories:
- Not Recommended for Children
- Not Recommended for Young Children
- Some scary scenes
- Cartoon/Animation action
- Mature Theme
- Violence
- Graphic Violence
- Brutal Violence
- Sexual Violence
- Crude Content
- Disturbing Content
- Frightening Scenes
- Nudity
- Sexual Content
- Explicit Sexual Content
- Gory Scenes
- Coarse Language
- Language May Offend
- Language Not Evaluated
- Subtitled
- Substance Abuse
- Tobacco Use
The primary reason for the addition of the 18A category was films such as Scary Movie and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Read more about this topic: Ontario Film Review Board