PG stands for "Parental Guidance Suggested" — which is the MPAA's way of saying "we're punting this decision to you, parents." The official definition is that some material may not be suitable for children, and parents should investigate further before letting their kids watch.

Here's the thing: PG was created in 1984 after parents lost their minds when Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom featured a still-beating heart being ripped out of someone's chest. Before that, movies either got a G rating or jumped straight to R. There was nothing in between.

So PG-13 was born for Temple of Doom and movies like it, and PG became this weird catch-all for "more than G, less than PG-13" — which is an absolutely massive range of content.

The PG rating has existed since 1972 (before the PG-13 split), which means older movies were rated by completely different standards. Jaws got a PG in 1975, and if you've seen it, you know there are legitimately traumatizing scenes in that movie. Today, it would absolutely get a PG-13, maybe even an R.

But here's where it gets weird: the MPAA doesn't re-rate old movies. So Jaws is still PG, even though it's scarier than half the horror movies that get PG-13 ratings today.

Modern PG movies can include:

The range is WILD. The Lego Movie is PG. Gremlins is PG. One is a colorful adventure about plastic toys. The other involves creatures melting in microwaves.

Instead of trusting the PG label, here's what to actually check:

1. When was it made? Pre-1984 PG movies are a total crapshoot. Assume they might be more intense than you expect.

2. What's the actual content warning? The MPAA includes a brief descriptor with every rating. "Rated PG for mild thematic elements" is very different from "Rated PG for action violence and peril."

3. What's your kid's sensitivity level? Some 6-year-olds can handle Jurassic Park (PG-13, but close enough). Some 10-year-olds will have nightmares from Coraline (PG). You know your kid better than a rating board does.

4. Check Common Sense Media or Screenwise Both platforms give you actual details about what's in the movie — not just a vague rating. Look up specific movies before committing to family movie night.

Here's a rough guide, but again — your kid is the expert on what they can handle:

Ages 5-7: Stick to modern PG movies with "mild" descriptors. Think Paddington, Moana, Encanto. Avoid older PG movies without screening them first.

Ages 8-10: Most modern PG movies are fair game. Start testing the waters with older classics, but watch together the first time. The Goonies and E.T. are beloved, but they have genuinely scary moments.

Ages 11+: PG movies should be pretty comfortable territory, though some kids are still sensitive to specific content (jump scares, animal death, etc.). This is also the age where you might start introducing PG-13 movies on a case-by-case basis.

Here's what consistently surprises parents:

The PG rating is basically a suggestion that you do your homework. It's not a guarantee of anything specific — it just means "this isn't for toddlers, and it's not graphic enough for PG-13."

The best approach: Treat PG as a starting point, not a final answer. Read the content descriptors, check parent reviews, and when in doubt, watch it yourself first or watch it together. Your kid's comfort level matters way more than what a rating board decided in a conference room.

And if you're trying to figure out whether a specific movie works for your family, just ask — we can help you figure out if it's more Paddington or more Jaws.

The rating system isn't perfect, but with a little extra research, you can find the movies that actually work for your family — not just the ones with the "right" letter on the poster.