In the United States, most movies produced for theatrical distribution are rated by the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), a division of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The rating system was first introduced in 1968, under the leadership of Jack Valenti, who was the MPAA president. This voluntary system was developed in the midst of increasing public pressure for censorship of movies.

The Rating Process

Under the MPAA system, producers or distributors submit their films to the Ratings Board for review. They pay a fee for this service. The board, by majority vote, determines a rating and provides a brief written rationale for the decision. CARA publishes the Motion Picture Rating Directory at quarterly intervals, with biweekly updates of the ratings decisions that have been made during the preceding two weeks. Producers or distributors who disagree with the rating their film receives have...