COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
- Public health restrictions: Alberta entered Step 2 on March 1.
- Book your vaccine: Albertans 5+ can get it now. Get third dose when eligible.
COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
Common examples of ratings applied in Alberta for different film genres.
While every film is unique, films within the same genre have similar kinds of content. To gain a better understanding of how Alberta’s film rating system works, it can be useful to compare how different ratings can be applied to common film genres.
Films rated G:
Films are usually placed in a higher ratings category when they feature strong and/or crude coarse language, or when violence is the main feature.
Examples of animated films rated G in Alberta:
Examples of family films rated G in Alberta:
Examples of documentaries rated G in Alberta:
Depending on the tone, frequency, and detail of these elements, films rated PG can include:
Coarse language included in these films tends to be mild. Some use of strong coarse language, including the f-word, can be allowed.
With the exception of documentary films, scenes of violence, sexual activity or substance abuse are understood as dramatizations and not considered real.
Common advisories can include:
Adventure or excitement is the main purpose and violence and frightening scenes are frequently featured in these films.
Examples of action films rated PG in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Humour is the goal of these films and they tend to contain coarse language and some crude content.
Sexual innuendo, gestures and scenes alluding to sexual activity can be permitted, as long as they:
These films may contain brief breast or buttock nudity, but it generally won't be in sexually-focused scenes.
Examples of comedies rated PG in Alberta:
Certification rationale:
Certification rationale:
Certification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Content in these films can vary widely and is evaluated in relation to the context of the film.
Examples of dramas rated PG in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Documentaries are non-fiction and can often highlight serious societal issues and feature mature subject matter.
Examples of documentaries rated PG in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Films rated 14A are typically considered appropriate for high-school aged audiences and up. Generally, they can include:
Frequent coarse language can be expected in films rated 14A, including:
Violence can be bloody, detailed and can include scenes of brutality and torture, but violence is not lingered on and torture is brief.
Scenes of sexual activity with breast and buttock nudity are permitted, but sexual activity is not usually prolonged.
Films with glorified or gratuitous violence or drug use, as well as those that feature prolonged sexual activity, are usually placed in a higher ratings category.
With the exception of documentary films, scenes of violence, sexual activity or substance abuse are understood as dramatizations and not considered real.
Common advisories can include:
Violence is the main feature and frequent, often bloody, violence is expected.
Some sexual violence can be permitted if it is brief and lacks detail.
Examples of action films rated 14A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
These films usually include crude, raunchy sexual language and scenes.
Infrequent and recreational drug use included for comedic effect can be permitted.
Examples of comedies rated 14A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Dramas usually have a serious theme or tone and can feature a wide range of content, including violence, sexual content, nudity and substance abuse.
Examples of dramas rated 14A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Fear or suspense is the purpose and frequent frightening scenes, including nightmarish imagery, and some disturbing content are expected.
Violence can be bloody and some detail can be allowed, as long as the film doesn’t include:
Examples of horror films rated 14A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Documentaries are non-fiction and 14A-rated documentaries can show or discuss a wide range of mature subject matter, including:
It is expected that audiences understand that documentaries about difficult subject matter will contain detailed references to the subject matter.
The detail and intensity of these references can be greater than what would normally be permitted in a fictional 14A-rated film.
Examples of documentaries rated 14A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Films rated 18A generally include:
While some films may include portrayals of torture or sexual violence, those that focus on graphic or detailed portrayals are usually placed in a higher ratings category.
Films that feature unsimulated sexual content, as in adult films, are not permitted in films rated 18A.
Common advisories can include:
These films focus on violence and generally contain gory and brutal violence.
Scenes of torture and human suffering, as well as limited sexual violence are permitted.
Examples of action films rated 18A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Comedies at this level frequently include detailed crude, raunchy and sexual language and content, including scenes of sexual activity.
Drug use can be frequent and detailed.
Examples of comedies rated 18A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
These films can contain a wide variety of content and difficult subject matter.
Frequent and detailed scenes of sexual activity, including those that feature male or female frontal nudity, are permitted.
Detailed and even glamourized drug use is allowed.
Examples of dramas rated 18A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
At this level, horror films often focus on bloody and gory violence.
Torture is permitted, provided it does not dwell on human suffering, and limited sexual violence is allowed.
Examples of horror films rated 18A in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale
Films rated R can contain an array of content that many adults would find disturbing, including:
Common advisories can include:
Dramas rated R can include a wide range of graphic, disturbing content.
Examples of dramas rated R in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Common advisories can include:
Horror films rated R often feature graphic and disturbing violence
Examples of horror films rated R in Alberta:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Classification rationale:
Was this page helpful?
You will not receive a reply. Do not enter any personal information such as telephone numbers, addresses, or emails.
Your submissions are monitored by our web team and are used to help improve the experience on Alberta.ca. If you require a response, please go to our Contact page.