Movies That Should Have Been Rated R

Scary and mature movies have a pull about them for many people. These films have a way of triggering adrenaline for some, which in turn fulfills their high sensation-seeking trait.  A research study conducted in 2015 states that higher levels of exposure to violence in films may lead to desensitization to actual life incidents. This is one reason it is essential to safeguard what our young children are watching. 

To compile a list of movies that should be rated R 24/7 Tempo first consulted the Motion Picture Association of America website to determine the R-rating requirements. Then, we visited parental review sites for specific movies that meet these criteria, including Common Sense Media and IMDb parent reviews. The films on this list all meet at least one of the criteria for being rated R; by that standard, they should all have the R label. (Read our list of rated R movies with perfect Rotton Tomatoes scores.)

To better help parents, The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) began rating movies in 1968 to use as a tool for parents to understand whether or not a movie would be appropriate for their child. However, often, we walk away from a theater thinking, "That movie should have been rated a little higher." The film rating system has five prominent labels: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. Per rating standards, movies that should have been rated R contain higher levels of gore and violence or are just scary.

The rating system did not always consist of five labels. Interestingly, movies such as "Gremlins" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" set the stage for the PG-13 rating to be developed. According to the Motion Pictures Association of America's website, the R rating specifies to the parents that the film contains some adult material and that parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them. In other words, children under 17 can only view the movie with an adult.

• Hard language
• Sexually oriented nudity
• Persistent violence
• Intense violence
• Drug abuse

By these standards, the movies on this list should all receive an R-rating. Sometimes, the criteria for movie ratings can feel muddled, and it often seems violent movies keep slipping through the cracks. While we love entertaining movies, being aware of what our children watch is always a good idea. Violent and intensely scary films can be disturbing for younger (and more sensitive) viewers and cause nightmares, fears, and anxiety. Other times, being introduced to too mature topics, such as sex or drug use at a young age, can be confusing for a younger audience.

Every audience is different, some can handle more mature content without batting an eye. Others' have a difficult time stomaching violence, mature content, or fantasy-based thrillers. A few movies on this list, like "Jurassic Park," seem mediocre in violence compared to others. However, the films were chosen based off of concerns from parents.

• Year Released: 1982
• Rating: PG

"Poltergeist" came out in 1982, before the PG-13 ratings were created, and initially, it was labeled with an R rating. Yet, Spielberg, Valenti, and MGM appealed to the board, and the rating was changed to PG. Anyone who has seen "Poltergeist" probably feels uneasy with the lax rating.

Why it should be Rated R: Many children from the 80s have noted that watching "Poltergeist" for the first time was particularly scarring. For starters, the supernatural themes throughout the movie are intense. There are rotting skeletons, pool of skeletons, and demonic spirits scattered throughout the film. Amidst the violence and gore, the audience sees a man tearing apart his face, skin chunks, blood, and all falling into a sink. With this intensity and a PG rating, it's no wonder "Poltergeist" leaves many children feeling traumatized.

• Year Released: 2008
• Rating: PG-13

Starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and Health Ledger as the Joker, "The Dark Knight" is more than just your typical Batman movie. It follows the story of the Joker and his rise in crime and violence inflicted on Gotham City.

Why it should be rated R: There is extreme and intense violence within "The Dark Knight." Also, there are instances where you see shootings, bombings, and stabbings. Although the violence is not technically gory, Joker does brag about his violent escapades, often in great detail. These scenes can be too much for those who are sensitive to violence and brutality.

• Year Released: 2016
• Rating: PG-13

"The Shallows" is about a young woman who goes off to surf after dropping out of med school. Anyone who has seen a horror film knows this idea is terrible. (Just grab your surfboard and go back to med school, this isn't going to end well)

Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) finds herself in a violent and scary predicament when she faces off with a shark. Now, she must figure out how to get to safety, the sooner, the better.

Why it should be rated R: There is moderate violence and gore in "The Shallows." Lively's character is attacked by a shark, which leaves plenty of blood in the water. Additionally, there is a scene where a man is cut in half, and although we don't see it happen, his severed body does appear on the beach.

Violence is a looming theme throughout the movie; however, this is not the main reason an R rating should be given. The scare factor is very intense in "The Shallows." Shark attacks are a real fear that many, especially young ones, have. The film's intensity and underlying danger may be too much for some to handle.

• Year Released: 1990
• Rating: PG-13

"Total Recall" stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a man who has false memories planted inside his brain. However, nothing is as it seems, and he soon realizes there is a plot to have him killed.

Why it should be rated R: "Total Recall" has fierce violence throughout the movie. Many scenes are filled with fights, shootings, bloody corpses, and blood splattering everywhere. Additionally, there is a scene where a man is having his head bashed and another with a drill going through a man. (This is not seen but is alluded to with the bloody drill).

Aside from the gore and violence, "Total Recall" has moderate profanity and sexual scenes. The movie is very intense, with stabbings, graphic brutality, and an overall violent nature throughout the movie.

• Year Released: 2009
• Rating: PG-13

"Drag Me to Hell" is a supernatural horror film starring Alison Lohman as Christine Brown. In it, she plays a loan officer evicting an older woman from her house. However, a supernatural curse is placed on her life, and she spends the movie trying to save herself.

Why it should be rated R: "Drag Me to Hell" is highly graphic, and since it's a horror film, the terror that comes from watching this movie can be drastic. This is partly because many scenes are dragged out, not quick, with the image to lingering on screen. While the exaggerated violence is meant to be comical at times, it is extensive and spread throughout the entirety of the film. With supernatural themes, gory violence, and disturbing jump scares littered throughout the movie, it has the possibility of giving nightmares for days on end.

• Year Released: 2010
• Rating: PG-13

"Insidious" is a supernatural horror film about an unconscious child who is in danger throughout the movie. His family searches for a way to help him, but the supernatural darkness that looms wreaks havoc on them all.

Why it should be rated R: Although "Insidious" is rated PG-13, Common Sense Media states it is "one of the most terrifying scary horror movies in some time, and it's not recommended for younger teens." Demon possessions cause violence towards main characters (An example is when a man strangles a woman while possessed, eventually killing her.) The theme of the movie is demon possession and the attempt to possess the young child. Coupled with jump scares, scary demonic faces, and the imminent fear factor, it can be too intense for some.

• Year Released: 2007
• Rating: PG-13

"Live Free or Die Hard" is the fourth movie in the Die Hard franchise and the first not to receive an R rating.

Why it should be rated R: Although the fourth movie was given a PG-13 rating, it should've received the same rating as its predecessors. Within the film are extreme scenes of violence using guns, vehicles, beatings, and more. These beatings aren't done off-screen either; no, they are in clear view of the audience. There is also moderate profanity. This movie received a PG-13 rating because of the lower level of profanity and violence from the previous movies. While the gore and guts are also lower than in the first three movies, "Live Free or Die Hard" is still chock full of intense violence and gore and deserved an R-rating like the others.

• Year Released: 2004
• Rating: PG-13

"Alien vs. Predator" is about an ancient battle between the aliens and predators. The bad news? Humans are caught in the middle.

Why it should be rated R: "Alien vs. Predator" is a sci-fi horror film that has graphic scenes (like aliens birthed by humans through their chest!). As if that's not scary enough, the aliens are pretty violent, like, for instance, impaling human bodies. Additionally, there are plenty of jump scares and frightening imagery, and facehuggers (having an alien attach to your face is pretty scary) are enough to force even some older adults to close their eyes.

• Year Released: 2008
• Rating: PG-13

'Taken" is about a young high school graduate who is abducted overseas and forced into sex trafficking. Her father goes to great lengths and does everything he can to save her.

Why it should be rated R: The underlying theme of "Taken" (sex slavery) is an intense topic for young teens. There are instances of drug trafficking, political corruption, and an abundance of violence throughout the film. Furthermore, torture is a means to an end for Liam Neeson's character. He straps a man to a chair and, after torturing him, leaves him with electricity coursing through his body. While Neeson is iconic in this film, the intensity and brutality, coupled with the overall gravity of the theme, "Taken," can be challenging for a younger audience.

• Year Released: 2002
• Rating: PG-13

"The Ring" is a movie that left many millennials jumping every time the phone rang. It's a remake of a Japanese film, with an underlining theme of inescapable death at the hands of a dead girl who climbs out of a television.

Why it should be rated R: While there isn't much gore and violence, the movie is intense and scary. The background music adds to the overall apprehension in the film. There is mild profanity, and several people die. However, the suspense of possible death looking around every corner makes "The Ring" one of the scariest horror films.

• Year Released: 1993 through 2022
• Rating: PG-13

The Jurassic Park franchise is popular for depicting dinosaurs and humans fighting to save their lives from gruesome deaths. It is a fantasy franchise that has a following of loyal audiences. While it is far from depicting real life, some viewers say it should still be rated R.

Why it should be rated R: Watching Donald Gennaro die (by getting eaten by a T-Rex) while sitting on a toilet is a scene that sticks with you. Many people say that the franchise should be rated R for the scare factor, violent scenes of dinosaurs eating humans, and humans hurting the dinosaurs. While the overall theme of teamwork and perseverance is a plus for the films, the imminent fear of being eaten by a dinosaur may disturb the youngest viewers (and some of the older ones, too.)

• Year Released: 1959
• Rating: G

"Ben-Hur" is a film about a Jewish Prince named Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston). A Roman soldier who used to be his friend betrays him and sends Ben-Hur to slavery. Throughout the movie, Ben-Hur seeks revenge.

Why it should be rated R: "Ben-Hur" is an often violent film with enslaved people being whipped and kicked. Additionally, the action sequences, particularly the ones with the chariot racing, can be intense, with men being dragged by the chariots and blood spilling. Also, the graphic crucifixion of Christ is shown, and younger ones who may be sensitive to violence and death may be disturbed.

• Year Released: 1987
• Rating: PG-13

"Summer School" is a comedy starring Mark Harmon and Kristie Alley. Harmon is a gym teacher who has to teach English in summer school instead of enjoying his summer off. Overall, the movie is hilarious and enjoyable.

Why it should be rated R: There is an instance in "Summer School" where the students stage a "classroom massacre" to prank the teacher. The scene is very graphic, with (fake) blood splattering, slit throats, intestines, and a tongue being taken out of a person's body. Although the massacre is staged, it can be alarming to watch, particularly for younger teens.

• Release: 1975
• Rating: PG

Jaws is a graphic tale of a killer shark and the town's attempt to capture and kill it.

Why it should be rated R: "Jaws" came out before the PG-13 rating was created. However, "Jaws" was initially rated R. Yet, David Brown (the producer) was able to convince the board to take it down to PG. The reason? It wasn't "praising violence." Although the movie itself isn't glorifying violence, it is still full of it. Within "Jaws" audiences see severed bodies, shark attacks, bloody trails indicating limbs and people being eaten, and much more intense violence. Additionally, the overall fear of being attacked by a shark after watching this movie may sit with an audience for far too long. (Read our list of the top-rated R movies of all time.)