U stands for 'Universal', meaning the film, video or DVD is suitable for anyone. Examples include Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang and The Princess & the Frog.
PG stands for 'Parental Guidance', which means that some parts of the film might not be ideal for younger children. Parents ought to think carefully before letting them watch. Examples of PG films are How to Train Your Dragon and Tooth Fairy.
12 is now only ever seen on videos and DVDs. As with the 12A, it tells parents that the content is best suited for those aged 12 and above. Examples, both of which were certified 12A for cinema, include Iron Man 2 and Avatar.
12A is only for films released at the cinema. It tells parents that the film is best suited for those aged 12 and above. Parents can take along under 12s if they choose, so long as they go with them! Examples include Iron Man 2 and Avatar.
15 means that the film, video or DVD is really only suitable for those aged 15 or above. Only people aged 15 or older are allowed to view a 15 rated film at the cinema or buy or rent a 15 rated DVD, video or game.
18 means that the film, video or DVD is only suitable for adults (people aged eighteen or over). Only adults are allowed to view an 18 rated film at the cinema or rent or buy an 18 rated video, DVD or game.
BBFC U ratingBBFC PG ratingBBFC 12A ratingBBFC 12 ratingBBFC 15 ratingBBFC 18 rating

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Hello Again Movie Makers!

Another chance for more film making fun with CBBC! Find out how...
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LET’S GO TO THE CINEMA!

The BBFC were kept busy in 2008 by an increase in cinema attendance. Find out why...
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Become an award-winning movie maker with CBBC!

'CBBC me and my movie' is giving you the chance to win a special award in association with BAFTA.
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Parents' Website Now HasTrailers

Pbbfc now has trailers on the website so parents can check out what films, DVDs and video games are like...
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The Doctor is your favourite hero!

You've been voting in your hundreds to pick your favourite hero. Read on to discover why you think the Timelord is the best of the best and discover who came in the runner-up positions...

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Dr Who writer is happy to scare you!

Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies thanks CBBFC users for voting one of his baddies our scariest villain last year...

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cbbfc Poll Results Just In!

Last year's poll on film and DVD baddies has finally closed! The results are in. The votes have been counted. cbbfc visitors have had their say. But who was the meanest of the mean? The nastiest of the nasty? The most likely to send you running behind the sofa to hide? The absolute worst of all the villains from all the films and videos you have watched? Can you guess?
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New cbbfc Website

PSSST - can you keep a secret? CBBFC is getting a make over! There are loads of new quizzes, games and other changes. Can you guess what it will be like?

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Who's the boss?

An exclusive interview with BBFC Director and massive Harry Potter fan, David Cooke. Is he any good at video games? Have his eyes gone square? Why is he afraid of lions? And can he really speak parseltongue?

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TOP FILM OF 2005 REVEALED...

You've been voting since Christmas and now the results are in. To find out what film was voted Best Of 2005 by cbbfc readers click more

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New writers for cbbfc

2006 sees some new writers taking over at cbbfc. David Cooke decided to find out more about them. To read his interview with cheeky web writers Lucy and Emily click here

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'Harry Potter 4' gets a 12A!

The fourth film in the series is the first to be given a 12A certificate, with all the earlier films passed at PG.

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My Day at the BBFC

After winning a film review competition at her school, Amelia found herself spending a day at the BBFC HQ in London! Not only did she get to help classify one of the Holiday Season's biggest new blockbusters with a couple of examiners, she even got to write about her day as one of the "Press Pack" reporters on the BBC's Newsround website! Cool and then some!

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cbbfc goes 12A

After numerous comments from visitors to the site and the rising popularity of 12A-rated films, we've decided to include more information on 12A movies on the cbbfc site.

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