Script written George Pacheco
Are you sure kids can watch these? From The Secret of NIMH, to Brave Little Toaster, to Willy Wonka, these movies really push the limits of a G-rating. WatchMojo ranks the top movies you won't believe are rated G.
Check out the voting page for this list and add your picks:
WatchMojo.comsuggest/Top+10+Movies+You+Won%27t+Believe+Are+Rated+G
Special thanks to our user RazorRex for suggesting this idea!
Script written George Pacheco
Top 10 Movies You Won't Believe Are Rated G
Wait a minute...what? Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Movies You Won't Believe Are Rated G.
For this list, we'll be ranking the films that received a G or GP rating at the time of their release, but would likely be slapped with a much stronger rating today. The reasoning behind the ratings could be due to content, or the cultural sensibilities of the time, and we're also not passing judgment on the people behind the scenes for these films. Instead, we're just taking a look back at some interesting decisions by the MPAA, while also acknowledging some slices of classic cinema. We will, however, be ignoring films that came out prior to the modern rating system, such as “The Wizard of Oz”.
#10: "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" (1970)
Hammer Studios were known shifting the creative paradigm with their horror films, inserting a controversial amount of blood and jugs into the mix. This tendency carried over into their fantasy and adventure films as well, as evidenced by this 1970 caveman epic. "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" seemed to pride itself on the tiny costumes adorning its female cast, while the uncut version of the film even included a nude scene from lead actress Victoria Vetri. The '70s may have been a different time, but there's no way a scene such as this would be allowed in a G-rated film today.
#9: "The Secret of NIMH" (1982)
Children's animated features have always been big business, but the '80s added its own spin to the genre, often incorporating some heavy duty drama and mature themes into the mix. "The Secret of NIMH" was one such film, and it doesn't shy away from some tense violence, and the emotional implications such sequences can evoke. Director Don Bluth and Co. never talk down to their young audience while adapting Robert C. O'Brien's novel for the big screen, making "The Secret of NIMH" one of the rare children's features to actually contain "something for everyone."
#8: "True Grit" (1969)
Westerns are always going to be tough for a ratings board, given that almost any film featuring gunplay is going to receive at least a PG rating. The '60s, however, were a different time as evidenced by this John Wayne classic. "True Grit" arrived at a time when westerns were becoming more and more violent, emboldened by the burgeoning spaghetti western scene in Italy. Perhaps this explains why "True Grit" serves as one of The Duke's more violent westerns, exemplified in scenes such as the one where a conversation with a pair of shady characters heads south in a shocking and brutal way.
advertisement
#7: "The Andromeda Strain" (1971)
Depictions of corpses, animal death, and nudity? Slap a G rating on that and call in the kids! The first of Michael Crichton's novels to be adapted into a film, “The Andromeda Strain” is dark, tense and deadly serious in tone, with some apocalyptic repercussions on hand. Beyond this, the film was also released in the permissive early seventies, during a time when violence and sex were not as strictly regulated on screen. As a result, while movie's presentation of death and nudity isn't born out of sensationalism, it would be enough to see the film rated differently today.
#6: "Bambi" (1942)
It's the Disney film that scarred a generation, and kick-started strained conversations about death around the dinner table. It's true that "Bambi" wasn't the first Disney film, by a long shot, to feature controversial content – such as the infamous "Pink Elephants" scene in "Dumbo" – but this doesn't change the fact that the hunting and forest fire sequences of “Bambi” would at least rate the film a PG in today's world. Regardless, both "Bambi" and "Dumbo" remain essential animated viewing for children of all ages... just have some tissues ready.
#5: "The Last Unicorn" (1982)
"The Last Unicorn" was a triumph for animation icons Rankin/Bass. Yet, just as was the case with "The Secret of NIMH", there's also plenty of dark content here that belies the film's G rating. For starters, there's the Mommy Fortuna character, who is torn to pieces by a harpy early on in the film. Then, there's also the business of one peculiar tree that is turned into woman with giant breasts who attempts to smother the young magician, Schmendrick. "The Last Unicorn" is a children's film with lofty ideals and a great respect for its audience... even if it really ought to have been rated PG.
#4: "The Adventures of Mark Twain" (1985)
This film may be a bit niche, but don't let that fool you: "The Adventures of Mark Twain" is a G-rated hidden gem. That rating would definitely be tweaked by today's standards, however, as there are several dark scenes in this claymation classic that still haunt fans today. The character of "Injun Joe" certainly terrifies Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher, but that's nothing compared to the "Mysterious Stranger" sequence, wherein Lucifer – yes, that one – shows the kids how to create an entire civilization, before mercilessly demolishing their world. Try and watch this one without a shiver running down your back.
#3: "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (1971)
It's a timeless classic, but it also feels like an acid-fueled commerce and morality play. Creatively, it fires on all cylinders, but those pistons are sparked by scenes of apparent child murder, bizarre depictions of little people, as well as that crazy-ass boat ride. This scene is instantly memorable for all the right and wrong reasons, as Gene Wilder's Wonka turns into a howling psychopath, aided by a barrage of psychedelic lights and sounds. For this scene alone, "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" would've lost its G rating quick if released today.
advertisement
#2: "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)
We've covered plenty of films thus far whose G ratings would likely have been nixed due to questionable content or themes, and it's here where "2001: A Space Odyssey" changes things up a bit. Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece raises so many mature questions about life, death, evolution and time, that it's mere heady existence practically begs for a PG or PG-13 rating. Sure, there are scenes of death and violence here in "2001," but the real heavy themes here are of an intellectual level, a psychedelic head-trip designed to be viewed, studied and discussed by adults for years to come.
Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
"All Dogs Go to Heaven" (1989)
"The Brave Little Toaster" (1987)
#1: "Planet of the Apes" (1968)
Let's forget for a moment that the iconic, OG "Planet of the Apes" just so happens to feature nudity, sexuality, dramatic themes, and a surprising amount of violent action for a G rated movie. There are also the horrific implications from the film's ending, a twist that certainly shocked audiences in 1968 – but should those audiences have included kids? It's tough to say. Standards were certainly different in the late '60s, and the Apes films blew up in popularity with kids through the '70s. But, still, the fact that “Planet of the Apes” got away with a damn dirty G rating is utterly mind blowing.
FAQs
What is the highest rated G movie? ›
- Gone with the Wind. Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers. ...
- Singin' in the Rain. Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers. ...
- Beauty and the Beast. Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers. ...
- Babe. Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers. ...
- The Sound of Music. ...
- The Wizard of Oz. ...
- The Circus. ...
- The Muppet Christmas Carol.
G: Appropriate for people of all ages. PG 12: Parental guidance is required for children under the age of 12.
Why aren t movies rated G anymore? ›Once the standard classification for romcoms, sci-fi, westerns and action flicks from the 1970s to the late '90s, the G-rating has fallen out of favour as films have become more explicit and violent over the past 20 years.
What Disney movie is rated G? ›| Movie | Genre | Animation |
|---|---|---|
| Pinocchio | Disney | Animated |
| Pocahontas | Disney, Princess | Animated |
| Princess Protection Program | Disney Channel, Princess | |
| Ramona and Beezus | Comedy, Drama, Book |
The MPAA rated Moana PG for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements.
Do G rated movies exist? ›They basically don't exist, except for Pixar movies. Why did the MPAA allow this to happen? In truth, the American Motion Picture Association's rating system encourages movie to be more “adult.” American movies basically have two ratings, PG-13 and R, with PG used for children's movies.
Is frozen rated G? ›Frozen is rated PG by the MPAA for some action and mild rude humor.
How old is M rated? ›Mature (M)
Films and computer games classified M (Mature) contain content of a moderate impact. M-rated films and computer games are not recommended for children under the age of 15. They include portrayals of elements such as violence and themes that require a mature outlook.
NC-17 (No One 17 and Under Admitted) is the highest rating in the Motion Picture Association (MPA) film rating system used for films distributed in the United States. It is assigned to films the MPA believes most parents would consider "patently adult" and not suitable for their children under 18.
Has Disney ever had a rated R movie? ›Films containing an R (restricted under 17) rating by the MPA. Disney never releases R-rated films under the "Disney" brand; all of these films are published by subsidiaries and thus only indirectly Disney-related, and will generally not receive in-depth coverage here beyond pages on the films themselves.
What was Disney's first rated R? ›
Through Touchstone, Disney's first R-rated film, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, came on January 31, 1986, and was a large box-office success.
What is Shrek rated? › What does rated D mean? ›TV Parental Guidelines may have one or more letters added to the basic rating to let parents know when a show may contain violence, sex, adult language, or suggestive dialogue. D – suggestive dialogue (usually means talks about sex) L – coarse or crude language.
Is Y7 worse than g? ›TV-Y7 - programs most appropriate for children age 7 and up. TV-Y7-FV - programming with fantasy violence that may be more intense or more combative than other programming in the TV-Y7 category. TV-G - programs suitable for all ages; these are not necessarily children's shows.
Can a 17 year old take a 16 year old to an R movie? ›Patrons 17 to 20 years of age may only purchase more than one ticket if they are able to provide photo I.D. for proof of age for each additional ticket being purchased. As per the MPAA's film rating policy, patrons under the age of 17 will require an accompanying parent or guardian to attend an "R" rated film.
Why is Encanto rated G? ›In addition to the violent scenes and scary visual images mentioned above, Encanto has some scenes that could scare or disturb children aged 5-8 years. For example, Mirabel is nearly killed when her uncle's room collapses around her, trapping her in a dark cave filled with flowing sand and falling debris.
Is Rapunzel rated G? ›Today marks the release of Disney's 50th animated classic, Tangled. The fairy tale story of Rapunzel unfolds with Disney's best humor to date, memorable characters, and an action-filled plot sure to delight Disney fans of all ages.
Is zootopia rated G? ›Zootopia is rated PG by the MPAA for some thematic elements, rude humor and action.
What is rated NR? ›If a film has not been submitted for a rating or is an uncut version of a film that was submitted, the labels Not Rated (NR) or Unrated (UR) are often used.
Is Encanto a PG? ›Encanto | 2021 | PG | – 1.2. 1.
Is Moana appropriate? ›
With its inspiring messages, charming characters, and memorable music, Moana is an excellent choice for moviegoers of all ages.
Is a movie rated R if it has the F word? ›There are exceptions, usually when the word is just repeated in a short time or used as part of an emotional scene, McMahon said. But any movie with more than three F-bombs likely couldn't remain PG-13, she said. And if the word is used to signify sex, the film automatically gets an R rating.
Is rated M or R worse? ›Rated M: Suggested for mature audiences - Parental discretion advised. Rated R: Restricted – Persons under 16 not admitted, unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian.
Is rated R worse than Ma? ›TV-MA is worse than R because it contains both R and NC-17-rated material. R is OK for viewers under 17 as long as they're accompanied by an adult, but TV-MA is never appropriate for viewers under 18. Only adults are permitted to watch TV-MA. What is this?
Is M worse than MA 15? ›M is an advisory classification The content is moderate in impact. M films are not recommended for people aged under 15 as a level of maturity is required. MA 15+ is a legally restricted classification The content is strong in impact. MA 15+ films are not suitable for people aged under 15.
What does a K+ rating mean? ›K+: Some content may not be suitable for young children, usually those below nine years of age. There may be minor violence without serious injury, mild suggestive material, or minor coarse language that is justified by context. Equivalent to PG. T: Contains content not suitable for children.
What is worse rated R or NC-17? ›The MPA gave the movie an NC-17 rating "for some sexual content." NC-17 is a higher classification than an R rating and means no one under 17 years old can be admitted to see the movie, whereas for rated-R films, those under 17 can see the movie with a parent or guardian.
Is there a 15A film? ›Films classified 15A have been deemed appropriate for viewers of fifteen and over. 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.
What is Disney's darkest movie? ›Arguably the darkest film in the entire Disney animated canon is the 1996 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The movie opens with Frollo killing Quasimodo's mother and attempting to kill an infant Quasimodo before he's forced to stop. He attempts to atone for the sin of murdering Quasimodo's mother by taking the boy in.
What is the least scary movie? ›Coming out on top as the least scary movie was The Silence of the Lambs with no jumpscares..but we think that might be dependent on who you ask. Also included in the top twenty were Cannibal Holocaust (1980), The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Bone Tomahawk (2015).
Is TV-MA worse than R on Disney plus? ›
R is merely the second extreme rating for television, whereas TV-MA is the most extreme. TV-MA is worse than R because it contains both R and NC-17-rated material. R is OK for viewers under 17 as long as they're accompanied by an adult, but TV-MA is never appropriate for viewers under 18.
Will Deadpool 3 be R-rated? ›'Deadpool 3' Will Be R Rated and Not Disney Family Friendly - Variety.
What is Disney's lowest rated movie? ›- 1 'Home on the Range' (2004) – 5.4.
- 2 'Strange World' (2022) – 5.5. ...
- 3 'Olaf's Frozen Adventure' (2017) – 5.6. ...
- 4 'Chicken Little' (2005) – 5.7. ...
- 5 'The Black Cauldron' (1985) – 6.3. ...
- 6 'An Extremely Goofy Movie' (2000) – 6.3. ...
- 7 'The Three Caballeros' (1944) – 6.3. ...
- 8 'Dinosaur' (2000) – 6.4. ...
Unlike almost all other superhero movies (except Deadpool), it's rated R, so expect a lot of very edgy material. The main issue is the extremely strong, bloody comic book violence, including characters being sliced through flesh and skulls, shot, shown in pain, and killed.
What is R rated and G rated? ›MPAA has five rating categories
The new ratings system began with four categories: G (general audiences), M (mature audiences, changed in 1969 to PG, parental guidance suggested), R (restricted, no children under 17 allowed without parents or adult guardians), and X (no one under 17 admitted).
Why is Moana rated G? The MPAA rated Moana PG for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements.
Is rated G for adults? ›G: General Audiences, All Ages Admitted.
Contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that the in-view of the Rating Board would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture.
TV-MA is worse than R because it contains both R and NC-17-rated material. R is OK for viewers under 17 as long as they're accompanied by an adult, but TV-MA is never appropriate for viewers under 18. Only adults are permitted to watch TV-MA. What is this?
What is meant by rated A? ›The Big 'A' - Stands for 'Adults Only', which obviously prohibits anybody under the age of 18 to watch the film in theatres. The Big 'S' - Stands for 'Restricted to special classes', which means only a certain members of the society, such as doctors, scientists, etc, are permitted to watch the film.
Is there R-rated Disney? ›Films containing an R (restricted under 17) rating by the MPA. Disney never releases R-rated films under the "Disney" brand; all of these films are published by subsidiaries and thus only indirectly Disney-related, and will generally not receive in-depth coverage here beyond pages on the films themselves.