Parental Guidance (PG) movies have the nuanced responsibility to entertain both children and the adults that accompany them. In light of this, the entertainment industry often includes mature jokes in these films, supposedly obscured from young audiences; however, gags in recently released PG films seem to have lost their subtlety, especially to a generation of chronically online tweens. 

According to the Motion Picture Association, “the film rating system provides parents with the information needed to determine if a film is appropriate for their children. A PG rating is one of the least restrictive classifications, generally indicating that a movie is appropriate for audiences of all ages.”

The process of determining ratings starts with filmmakers submitting their films to Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), a division that operates under the Motion Picture Association. CARA consists of 10-13 individuals who watch the film and analyze it for violence, drug abuse and sexual activity. After observing, the board discusses and determines what the final rating of the movie should be. The filmmaker is then notified of the rating along with the justification.

Recently, movie classifications have become overly lenient in their ratings despite subject matter included. 

Some new film releases have prompted speculation over whether the PG rating still applies to the content projected on screen.

When “Zootopia 2” was released in theaters on Nov. 26, many viewers immediately began questioning what demographic the production was trying to reach. The movie contained sexual innuendos that prompted audiences to rethink the rating of the movie. For example, the character Nibbles the Beaver said in the intro of the film, “It takes a threesome to be some but a fourway to bust your doorway!”

Despite this, the movie has been a massive commercial success. As Jordan Moreau of Variety reported, “the animated sequel is now Walt Disney’s Animation’s highest-grossing movie in history with $1.46 billion at the global box office.” 

Although labeled as suitable for children, many PG-rated films are strategically designed with adult-oriented humor and themes, allowing studios to attract both younger viewers and paying adult audiences, thereby maximizing profits.

Freshman Sarina Irannejad watched the movie with her younger sibling and commented on her unsettling experience.

“Kids’ movies should be fully kid safe,” Irannejad said. “It makes me feel uncomfortable knowing how many kids are being exposed to such maturity. I think if we don’t address it, it will only get worse.”

Sophomore Kayla Firooz expressed similar concerns, explaining how she fears this overly mature content is negatively affecting younger audiences including her brother. 

“It makes me feel really weird,” Firooz said. “I don’t want my little brother knowing these things. I didn’t have the knowledge my brother has now when I was his age.”

While some believe the jokes are overly inappropriate and don’t belong, others appreciated the cleverness built into the animation. 

English teacher Annika Lundgren said she believes the issue isn’t the jokes themselves, but the ratings that are attached to them.

“They’re really trying to capture attention all the time and some of these jokes might be a part of their aim,” Lundgren said. “I hope they will keep them in there but change the rating.”

Writer for University of the Arts London Emma Copland notes in her blog about animation audiences that “adults do generally enjoy animation until a cutoff of 40-50 years old.” 

With a significant increase in engagement from older audiences, the growing presence of mature humor poses questions about the intended audience of such films. In some cases, controversial jokes may even be intentionally included to create debate and attract attention to a given production in hopes of increasing a film’s recognition and profitability. 

While profit remains a driving factor of the entertainment industry, society is still obligated to balance financial success with moral values, especially when violating such values puts future generations at risk.

The inappropriate jokes break ethical principles by infringing upon the consent of parents. Childhood is the purest part of someone’s life; that purity is what all parents want for their kids. However, being exposed to these types of movies at a young age can confuse kids and prompt questions they may not be ready to process yet.

In the words of Aristotle, “commerce is a noble profession, provided that it is practiced with justice and honesty.”

Even when businesses are focused on making profits, strong ethics must guide their decisions so that success is achieved without deceiving or exploiting customers.

Ultimately, audiences themselves play an important role in evaluating and refining the movie industry. Parents, students and moviegoers should be encouraged to voice concerns when they feel a film’s rating doesn’t match the projected content.

Lundgren concluded by emphasizing how the progression of these films poses risk to the development of future generations. 

“It can be really harmful when kids think it’s going to be just a normal film, and then all of a sudden they get exposed to something that makes them confused or maybe triggers them,” Lundgren said.

So the question remains: Who are PG films really made for?