Top 20 PG Movies That Should Have Been Rated R

Over the years, the PG rating has seen a wide range of content, and some films really stretched the limits of what’s considered appropriate for all ages. The movies listed below feature intense special effects, surprising violence, suggestive themes, and imagery that famously upset both parents and children. In fact, a few of these films even sparked discussions about whether the rating system needed to be updated. Here are twenty PG-rated movies that contain material more suited for mature audiences than the rating might indicate.

‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ (1984)

This story contains disturbing content, including a ritual involving the removal of a heart, the exploitation of children, and frightening scenes set in caves. It features realistic depictions of violence like burning and whipping, and intense peril that goes beyond typical adventure movie thrills. The overall mood is extremely grim, focusing on themes like brainwashing and human sacrifice. Many viewers found it too intense, and it played a significant role in the creation of the PG-13 rating system shortly after its release.

‘Gremlins’ (1984)

The movie features chaotic and destructive scenes, including a blender being destroyed and a microwave exploding, along with several monster deaths. While set during cheerful holidays, it uses sudden scares and reveals a dark past involving a tragic accident. The film cleverly combines silly, physical comedy with genuinely frightening moments, going beyond simple pranks. It caused considerable controversy with parents and was a key factor in the development of the PG-13 rating.

‘Jaws’ (1975)

The film depicts shockingly graphic shark attacks, showing severe injuries like lost limbs, spurting blood, and a victim being eaten right before the viewer’s eyes. The initial attack is drawn out and frightening, filled with screams and struggling, immediately establishing a dark and intense mood. Subsequent scenes include a badly damaged body and a child being singled out for attack on a busy beach. The combination of suspense and extreme violence created a new standard for on-screen horror, making its PG rating feel inappropriate.

‘Poltergeist’ (1982)

This horror story features terrifying visions, like skin peeling off, and disturbing scenes of bodies rising from the mud. A child is threatened by an evil presence, and the house itself becomes a source of constant fear, filled with flying objects and frightening ghosts. Moments like an attack by a clown doll and a strange vortex in a closet are presented as if they’re from a major horror movie. Despite being aimed at families, the story is surprisingly intense and uses shocking imagery.

‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

The show uses dark and disturbing humor, including jokes about suicide and ghostly dismemberment. It portrays a bizarre afterlife filled with bureaucratic red tape, and even death itself is treated as a punchline. The main character is overly suggestive and acts inappropriately towards a young woman. The visuals are intentionally frightening, featuring snakes, giant worms, and unsettling imagery. The combination of sexual references and shocking comedy pushes the boundaries of what’s acceptable for a PG rating.

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

As a huge film fan, I always found this movie fascinating because it wasn’t afraid to push boundaries. It had some genuinely unsettling moments – I’m thinking of the villain’s creepy transformation and even some pretty disturbing visuals with characters being dissolved. Beyond that, the story itself felt like a classic film noir, full of shady dealings, murder, and a really tragic romance. And let’s be honest, Jessica Rabbit’s performances were definitely aimed at a more adult audience with a lot of playful, but suggestive, moments. What really struck me was how it mixed silly, slapstick comedy with these darker, more mature images – it didn’t quite feel like a typical PG movie at all.

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

The movie features a fast-paced stream of jokes, including those about sex and drugs, with a quick flash of nudity. It makes fun of disaster films with chaotic scenes of people panicking, fighting, and even knocking each other unconscious. Much of the humor relies on suggestive visuals and jokes with double meanings. However, all this mature content feels out of place given the film’s rating, which suggests it’s meant for families.

‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)

The story features frightening events like a ghostly encounter, demonic possession, and a terrifying attack by a monstrous dog. It begins with a sudden, shocking scare. The characters often use rough language and make suggestive jokes, resulting in content that’s more mature than what you’d typically find in a PG-rated movie.

‘The Goonies’ (1985)

This adventure features serious threats, including the use of weapons, a dangerous near-drowning incident, and a disturbing prank involving a fake corpse. The pirate cave is filled with genuinely hazardous traps like blades and falling rocks. Characters, even young ones, often use harsh language, and the story includes several inappropriate jokes. Overall, the constant danger and dark tone make this a much more intense experience than typical family entertainment.

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

The movie contains several intense scenes, including underage drinking, a suggested sexual assault, and a gunshot wound at close range. The story’s time travel element leads to strange and awkward romantic situations between parents and their children. Bullying and violence are depicted as serious issues, not just for laughs. While it has comedic moments, the film occasionally feels too mature for its PG rating.

‘Big’ (1988)

The film depicts a relationship between an adult woman and a young man who appears physically mature, which presents complex ethical concerns. Sexual undertones are present and drive the characters’ journeys. It also features scenes of drinking and a stressful robbery. The story touches on difficult topics like consent and self-discovery, making it suitable for mature audiences.

‘Splash’ (1984)

The film originally contained a nude scene and some extended nudity that were later removed for streaming versions. It blends classic fairytale themes with adult humor and open conversations about sex and relationships. The plot involves government agents using increasingly forceful methods – including capture and experimentation – to follow a key lead. Ultimately, the film’s mature themes and visual content go beyond what you’d expect in a typical PG-rated movie.

‘Time Bandits’ (1981)

This story features intense violence, including shootings and executions, and ends with a disturbing scene involving a child’s house. The villains and monsters are intentionally creepy, relying on frightening masks, fire, and unsettling visuals. Flashbacks depict war and theft without being toned down for younger audiences. The story’s mood shifts abruptly between lightheartedness and darkness, making it feel more mature than its rating suggests.

‘Watership Down’ (1978)

This animated movie features intense and violent battles between rabbits, including bloodshed, choking, and characters dying on screen. The story is dark and deals with serious topics like fascism, the destruction of nature, and ominous predictions. Several scenes show animals being trapped and attacked, creating a prolonged sense of fear. The realistic violence and constant feeling of dread make this a particularly intense animated film for a PG rating.

‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)

The dragon attacks are incredibly violent, showing charred corpses, severed limbs, and ritual sacrifices. The special effects realistically depict burned and smoldering bodies. A secondary storyline involving human sacrifices is handled explicitly and suggests mature themes. The pervasive sense of fear and brutality goes far beyond typical fantasy danger.

‘Clash of the Titans’ (1981)

Ancient myths often depict brutal violence, including beheadings, severed heads, and monsters devouring people. Scenes like Medusa’s lair create tension with intense imagery – arrows, blood, and a frightening monster. The Kraken’s attacks feature widespread destruction and show people getting hurt. While presented as an adventure, these stories contain more graphic content than you’d usually find in a PG-rated movie.

‘Superman II’ (1980)

The conflict has escalated across the city, putting civilians in danger with shattered glass and visible injuries causing widespread fear. We see the hero badly beaten in a public fight, highlighting a vulnerable moment. The villains are escalating their threats, even suggesting mass casualties, all to lure the hero into a confrontation. These increasingly violent acts and callous disregard for life are reminiscent of more realistic, live-action depictions of conflict.

‘The Black Cauldron’ (1985)

The film features dark magic, including an army of the undead rising from a cauldron – complete with skeleton warriors and poisonous gas. The villain, the Horned King, is designed and meets his end in a particularly gruesome way, with imagery of decay and fire. The movie focuses on themes of fear, being trapped, and sacrifice, rather than lighthearted adventure. Its consistently dark and unsettling tone made it one of the scariest animated films released with a PG rating.

‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)

The movie reaches its most upsetting moments during a scene with a cherished horse and a powerful sense of hopelessness. The villain, Gmork, is shown with frightening detail – sharp teeth and a sudden, scary attack. Several scenes focus on a child facing danger alone, emphasizing feelings of fear and loss. The film doesn’t shy away from intense, potentially disturbing moments to tell its story, going further than typical lighthearted family entertainment.

‘Spaceballs’ (1987)

This comedy uses a lot of sexual humor, including suggestive language and crude jokes about bodies and adult themes. While most of the violence is played for laughs, there are some graphic moments, like characters being killed by lasers and one being crushed. The movie consistently uses suggestive language and double meanings, and its mature content goes beyond what you’d typically find in a standard PG-rated comedy.

Let us know in the comments which PG-rated movies you believe contain inappropriate content, and specifically which moments led you to that conclusion.

2025-11-02 13:51