PG-13

Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Film, Television and Theater

PG-13
Stands forParents Strongly Cautioned
CategoriesArts & Entertainment

PG-13 stands for Parents Strongly Cautioned, a film, television and theater abbreviation.

MPA film rating warning that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. No one is refused admission, but the rating signals more intense violence, language or mature themes than PG.

Example: Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, and for language.

Usage notes

Introduced on July 1, 1984, after parents complained that Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were too violent for a PG rating; Steven Spielberg suggested the intermediate category. Red Dawn (August 1984) was the first film released with it. PG-13 became the target rating for most blockbusters because it reaches teenagers while signaling intensity. Under MPA guidelines a single non-sexual use of a harsh expletive can still get PG-13.

More film, television and theater abbreviations

  • NC-17 – No One 17 and Under Admitted
  • O.S. – Off-screen
  • OTS – Over-the-shoulder shot
  • OTT – Over-the-top
  • PA – Production assistant
  • PG – Parental Guidance Suggested
  • POV – Point of view
  • PPV – Pay-per-view
  • R – Restricted
  • SFX – Sound effects
  • SL – Stage left
  • SM – Stage manager

See all 63 film, television and theater abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.