they haven't rated the movie yet of course, but i was wondering what you think the rating should be?

i'm two sided on this topic because GOF could go either way

PG- this will probably be better for the movie because it will make more money and parents will take their kids to see the movie. Harry Potter shouldn't be just for older kids and adults, but for younger kids because by the time the series ends they will be teenagers

PG-13 - this rating will probably be more better for the older age group, this allows the movie to follow the book better since there are some scenes that may be inappropriate for little kids to view and the death scene and the dark mark scene would probably be more realistic if the rating was pg-13

at the end, i think that the rating will probably be PG ( i might be wrong!) because WB would want to make more money and they would probably save the PG-13 rating when it really needs to be there, probably in book 5 or later books which we sadly don't know what's going to happen yet

so what do you think?

im pretty sure that it is PG-13 since there is a darker theme and Cedric gets murdered and so on so im thinking i read that but i cant remember so yea! i hope its PG-13 since i wanna see a dark movie made out of HP so yea.

i think it will be rated pg a kids movie theres not much violence that kids under the age og 13 would be frightned by only by malfoy maybe Laugh Out loud! well i would rate it a pg movie.

like RG's babe i wish that a HP movie would be more darker because lot of people still think that HP is a kid's book or movie... i want to prove to them that it's not a kid movie because it's based on a boy in his TEENS, but i don't think people would believe me unless they actually see it in the movie for themselves...

there's not much violence, so it still will probably be PG even though it might be near the border of PG and PG-13

yesterday i watched meet the fockers and i thought that movie was rated R instead of PG-13, i brought my 10 year old sister and her friend, and i don't think it was appropriate it all, if they rated meet the fockers pg-13, i think they can rate the GOF movie PG even though it does contain some dark scenes

If WB were really greedy, I'd assume that they'd make the movie PG because look at Lemony Snickett's Series of Unfortunate Events ... It's rated PG yet there were 2 deaths that took part of the storyline. Yet I'd prefer them making the movie PG-13 just because I'm 15 ... haha!

I thought about it ... I never EVER really seen a child, perhaps 6-10 years, read a book either like GoF or OotP. Maybe this could also be factor as why I'm leaning more to a PG-13 rating rather than a PG rating?

I just would like to bring you all to this thread here

The Pensieve Scene

It's a rather old thread but there have been a good discussion on the rating of GoF regarding the Pensieve Scene that I thought would be interesting to read. Maybe you'd have a different idea after reading them...

thanks zyra123, i ididn't get to read all of it, but i scanned through it and i realized that a lot of the scenes in GOF are pg-13 material especially the torturing of karakoff and the end when peter cutts of his own arm and takes blood from harry, those scenes aren't made for kids, so i think that IF they do include those it should be pg-13, but if they don't include those scenes which is bad for the plot they should keep it pg

to make the movie a pg rating because they want to make more money, they might alter the scenes so it does follow the book, but it won't include bloody scenes... they will probably show peter turning around and cutting his arm, so we can't see the actual scene

zyra123, are you saying that you think that the movie should be pg because most people here want it to be pg-13? i got confused when you said maybe you'd get a different idea after reading them

*twitch* Just call me zyra... (scrap the *123* bit, okay! )

No, actually, I wasn't paying much attention to what most people voted here actually... I was thinking that after you've read the thread I mentioned up there, you might get a clearer or definite opinion on this. It's just something that might broaden your mind, I suppose.... knowing what scenes will be included... and what connection these scenes might play as part of the rating comfirmation.... adding to the one you're having as WB making more money....

I Think It's Going To Be PG-13 Cause It Is Going to Be scary and It's Going To Have A Death SCene Well Actually 2 If They Count That Guy Frank In It .But It Might Also Be PG cause little kids want to watch it too but i want it to be PG-13.

I actually took part in that discussion, and I still think it might be a PG 13 movie if it really does have that scene with the head screws and all of those torture devices. But they just might cut out the scene...I'm not sure. Okay, getting just a bit off topic.

PG-13 most likely. They'll definitely have Cedric's death scene *sniff*, the death mark, all of the action going on in the three tasks, Voldemort taking his form (I don't know, from the way she described him coming out of the couldron [sp, sorry], it sounds really scary), showing the Three Unforgivable Curses in Moody's class, etc etc.

I still winced during the second movie once the Basilisk's fang impaled Harry's arm...I doubt small kids would like to see what would be going on during the fourth movie. Heh, but that's only my view.

i'm glad people are posting in this thread... it looks like a lot of people are going for the PG-13 rating... and i'm starting to sway toward the PG-13 rating too.. but for those who are children (under 13) it might affect them because some parents won't let children watch pg-13 or R movies.. i hope if the movie is PG-13... it won't cause the sales to decrease and there to be less harry potter fans... well i went to this site because it's the official film rating site

and here's what i found out about the specific ratings

I doubt it would be PG because they can attract a bigger audience. I also think that GoF should fit in the description of PG hermione_rocks gave us (which is very helpful by the way!)

I really doubt that there will be any nude or anything like that in GoF. Drugs won't be there and I think the 'rough violenice' is for thing where they are fist fights, bombs, and guns flying everywhere... not that descriptive of GoF, is it?

I dunno, I've said before that I think the ratings system these days is just plain weird. Like the first Terminator film, when it first came out, was an 18 - now it's a 15. I watched Peter Pan the other day (marvellous film, BTW, and Jason Isaacs is so incredibly sexy in that movie, but I digress...) and that had a scene where Jason cut Peter's chest with a sharp hook. My seven year old nephew didn't even bat an eyelid....I was more worried about him than he was!! Not that he's been desensitised - far from it, we never allow him to watch anything we consider to be violent or nasty, but all the same, that film was a PG.

Basically, what I'm saying is that the criteria for classification seems a little more blurred now than what it used to be. It seems that the Board are far more worried about sexual content, portrayed drug abuse and language in a movie than they are about violence these days. It's a reflection of the changes in society. So, even if GoF gets a PG rating, I don't think that will necessarily mean that they'll tone down the gore. They'll cut down in appeal to families if they make it a PG-13. I know that most of the readers are over that anyway, but my nephew still wants to see it. WB are more interested in money making at the end of the day, and the PG rating is likely to earn them more.

That being said, if the Pensieve scene does go off as the hints seem to suggest, I'll certainly be taking a look at the film first before I let my nephew see it.

i'm thinking WB wants to include the bath scene so it would attract more teenage girls to see the movies... there is no way that harry can take a bath without taking off at least his top, so that might count as partly-nude... there is no war fighting, but only deaths and torturing that might also affect the movie

lord of the rings (all 3 of them) is rated pg-13 for intense epic battle scenes and frightening moments.. i've never watched any of the movies, so if people who did watch the movies can tell me if the violence is as bad as what you expect from GOF then maybe it would be easier to guess the rating

does anyone know how long the rating comes out before the actual movie? i don't think there's anyway to be 100% sure of the rating, so i'll just sit still until they release the actual rating

dana, i hope your nephew will be able to watch it... i think that kids who like harry potter will be us when they grow up.. spending numerous hours on the net trying to find harry potter stuff

I don't think that its the actual death that would make it rated PG-13, but the cult-like attempt of Voldemorts reincarnation. that one chapter, "Flesh, Blood, and Bone," is probablly the single most darkest chapter in the entire serise due to the concept of waht Voldemort does, ancient Dark Magic, to RECREATE a body for himself. If anythign, the movies SHOULD be rated PG-13 for that. If PG though, I would be highly disapointed if much of that scene is cut out, or if the whole sense of foreboding and imagery is cut down to KEEP it PG... I would be disapointed at that...

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ok well I think that......well I gotta go read it again and gotta read the updates too.I'm not leaning toward any right now because true Peter cuts off his hand and gets Harry's blood.But it says in the book that Harry closed his eyes during that part so they probably aren't going to show that.The bath scene is also another thing.I heard that to save time they are going to just skip that part.But Harry also get cut by the dragon in the book so in order to dress his wounds they'll have to take his shirt off.The movie they said is going to be 2 and a half hours long.It's going to be shorter than any movie of the series because they already know that they're going to have yet another director for the 5th one.But I also heard that they're going to cut most of the scenes with the Dursley's because of time.And WB might want to just make it PG-13 because people will still come and see it if they love the series.I saw the Lord of the Rings and they rated it for violence/epic scenes.I've seen more violence in Harry Potter.Well everyone at WB messes up the ratings.Well I dunno.

i read on www.filmratings.com that film ratings are voluntary and that films don't need a rating... that's kind of intersting because every movie i saw had a rating, so i guess since it's "optional", the filmmakers aren't going to worry about it too much

i agree that Flesh, Blood, and Prince is one of the scarriest chapter of the whole series.. there's a lot of torture and pain involved... when i read GOF, i don't really like to read that chapter, but i would rather read the Yule Ball chapter

i just hope that the rating is fair and appropriate for the movies, especially if it's pg-13 and it turns out that it's not bad at all... because i know some parents don't allow their teenagers to even watch pg-13 movies

When you think about it, the fourth book is when the actual violence and action starts, due to the resurrection of Voldemort.

Some people want the movie to be PG-13, believing that by attracting an older audience, it would also attract others who treated the series as a toddler-aimed (exaggerating, of course) tale. But, others believe that by keeping it at the same rating, they'll attract the same audience, and those who are young as well.

I am one for the PG-13 rating (mostly because of my brother's comments about the movies, though I caught him watching it while I was in the kitchen the other day). I see it as a less gorey and a bit more decent version of the holocaust (because Voldemort resembles Hitler, as J.K. has stated many times), and seeing as a war is building up in this series, the rating should probably go up.

Yesh, my incompetent argument is posted.

Things are different here in Australia. POA was going to recieve a M rating (parental guidance for anyone under 15) but it ended up going to a PG rating with court action (parental guidance reccomended)
I think here in Australia that GOF will be fighting harder than what they did with POA to get a PG rating. I think that with the death, torture and general darkness of the film that it will be a M rating. One thing that I try to remember with the whole ratings debate is that even though HP has new fans all the time. The original fans are growing older. As are the films level of maturity.

i didn't know there were different ratings for different countries.. sorry if i confused people... M sounds kind of too high though rickmanmissus... i think that people under 15 could watch the movie especially 13 and 14 year olds...

lot of my friends think that harry potter is for "kids", so that's why they don't read the books... but i don't think most people understand that most kids can't read a 700 or 800 page book and the books are about teenagers... not kids...i think the pg-13 rating will help prove to non-readers that harry potter isn't just for kids... i'm sure there are a lot of mature harry potter fans

well voldemort is kind of like hitler... hitler hated jews, voldemort hates muggleborns... nazis follow hitler, death eaters follow voldemort... if GoF doesn't get a pg-13 rating i hope the other books do... i think that HBP and the last book will probably get a pg-13 rating

I see no reason why GoF should have to be rated PG-13. It's no where near as gory or violent as the Lord of the Rings movies which have the PG-13 rating. The original Star Wars Trilogy was rated PG. In those movies there are numerous scenes where body parts are severed, and also scenes of characters being tortured (I'm thinking especially of the scene where the Emperor is killing Luke at the end of RotJ).

So imo. a PG rating is sufficient.

Violence is not completely about gore, blood, or those in relation to the words just mentioned. Seeing someone tortured physically (and in a way, internally) with a Cruciatus curse, shrieking and convulsing is more disturbing than we all must have imagined.

As mentioned before, Voldemort's resurrection is almost cult-like. We cannot ignore those things because of how our society has lowered itself. It may not get a PG-13 rating, but its gonna be pretty darn close.

I don´t really know exactly what to put to this movie, it´s kind of weird ´cause in some ways like you mention before it can be Pg, ´cause all the people will be able to watch it and all that, but there´s a chance it can be also Pg-13 specially or the dark moments like Ceddric´s death and Voldemort coming back, that´s a bad scene and all the little children that go a and watch it, probably they can get scare so esaly, so I don´t konw still! I have my doubts,but I also hope it can be PG, so many people can look at this movie, maybe the dark moments will happen fast just the sufficient time to understand what happen and who dies but not with too serious scenes, I mean not very specificy or quite clearly!

well said aleja123, it's exactly what i said...

well i found more information, but this time it's more in detail... this time i got it from www.mpaa.org, i hope that


PG:"Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children."

This is a film which clearly needs to be examined or inquired into by parents before they let their children attend. The label PG plainly states that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, but the parent must make the decision.

Parents are warned against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated movies.

The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated film.

The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children.

Obviously such a line is difficult to draw. In our pluralistic society it is not easy to make judgments without incurring some disagreement. So long as parents know they must exercise parental responsibility, the rating serves as a meaningful guide and as a warning.

PG-13:"Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13."

PG-13 is thus a sterner warning to parents to determine for themselves the attendance in particular of their younger children as they might consider some material not suited for them. Parents, by the rating, are alerted to be very careful about the attendance of their under-teenage children.

A PG-13 film is one which, in the view of the Rating Board, leaps beyond the boundaries of the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, or other contents, but does not quite fit within the restricted R category. Any drug use content will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. In effect, the PG-13 cautions parents with more stringency than usual to give special attention to this film before they allow their 12-year olds and younger to attend.

If nudity is sexually oriented, the film will generally not be found in the PG-13 category. If violence is too rough or persistent, the film goes into the R (restricted) rating. A film's single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, shall initially require the Rating Board to issue that film at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive must lead the Rating Board to issue a film an R rating, as must even one of these words used in a sexual context. These films can be rated less severely, however, if by a special vote, the Rating Board feels that a lesser rating would more responsibly reflect the opinion of American parents.

PG-13 places larger responsibilities on parents for their children's moviegoing. The voluntary rating system is not a surrogate parent, nor should it be. It cannot, and should not, insert itself in family decisions that only parents can, and should, make. Its purpose is to give prescreening advance informational warnings, so that parents can form their own judgments. PG-13 is designed to make these parental decisions easier for films between PG and R.

with this information, i think that pg-13 seems like a category between pg and R... so if the movie seems to have too much violence than it's rated r... if it's barely any violence it's pg and if it's in between pg it's rated pg-13... but each category seems to have a wide range in between.. i took my ten year old sister to see meet the fockers with me and i don't think that it was very appropriate even for me

so what do you think?

What they also do (at least in this country...I don't think they do it in the States or Canada...not sure about other places) is give a little breakdown beneath the rating of why the film was rated that particular way. For example, on the back of 'Spy Kids 3-D' (it's the only DVD I have lying around here at the moment... ), it's been given a 'U' rating ('Universal' - suitable for all) and then next to it is a box that's split the categories into 'Language,' 'Sex/Nudity,' 'Violence.' and 'Other'. Under each of those categories is a little more detail...in this particular case it says 'none,' under all categories except for 'Violence' where it says 'Some, mild.'

I've seen other films that have been rated in a particular way and then it might say under language 'Infrequent, mild' or 'one strong reference' and under 'sex/nudity' it might say 'mild, non-sexual', meaning that you might get a glimpse of bare torso or something....

I'm not sure if they do that anywhere else, but it really helps in Britain to decide if a film might be suitable for the young 'uns or not. It really depends on the way you view it and it's ultimately a very individual thing what you may deem appropriate.

For example, my nephew absolutely despises 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.' The child-catcher frightens the living daylights out of him, not to mention images of children in chains, being locked in dungeons, starved etc...basically images of abuse. That was perfectly fine back in the 60's when the film was first released when there was far less political correctness around than there is these days...and it's still quite acceptable in general terms today, but still...I can understand why my nephew won't watch it. It gave him nightmares...and that film carries a 'PG' rating.

I've mentioned Peter Pan before....which is also PG and has images of children in chains, their lives being threatened, being cut with hooks....when you see it like that, you think, 'OMG, how can such images ever carry a PG rating? How did they even allow that film to be made!!'.....but when you see the way they've done it, there's no real threat there...it's all done in a light-hearted way...the kids in the film see it as an adventure, something to be laughed at, not feared, and so there's no malevolancy there - hence the PG rating.

Now, take GoF.....Harry is tied to the tombstone, he's cut it in a ritualistic way, he's tortured, and he most certainly isn't enjoying it....there is a real threat to his life, he's frightened, intimidated by people in masks.....if my 7 year old nephew can't cope with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I really have serious doubts as to whether he could cope with those kinds of images without being affected by them.

It ultimately comes down to the way the filmmakers decide to do it.....although I have to admit to leaning towards the PG-13 rating for GoF.......

I think that PoA was dancing on the border to PG-13, I would love for it to be PG-13, that way the grave yard sceen wouldn't be cut down to much. And wacthing Cedric die, that would make it worthy of PG-13. I think that PG-13 would be greatly appericated by the older fans, but it would be cutting younger ones out. I think that the 5th one will be much harder to make PG-13, considering Harry tortues someone.

yeah, i think i remember that they were going to make PoA pg-13 for the dvd or something like that... which i thought was unneccesary... PoA isn't very scary and they don't have anything kids shouldn't watch... but i think if they think that PoA might be pg-13, GoF will be pg-13... i think high ratings are stupid, if there is no good reason... from all the articles... i'm looking forward to the GoF movie very much! it's going to be brilliant, no matter what the rating is!

i think that it will be a PG13, because there will be a death scene. and i WB probable will want it a PG13. and it will be good if it was becasue the movie can show every scene right not change them just to make it better for yougher children.

hey guys u don't think the GOF will contain some sex/nudity right?

(no duh......)

(sorry for juss taking space in the forums~~ )

I don't think I'm going to dignify that with a response....

And yes, it was rather a waste of bandwidth. Please post something useful or don't post at all.

I think it absolutely should be PG-13, and more than likely will. First of all...so many people seem to think a film has to be graphic and gory in order to merit a PG-13 rating. That is not the case. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire could be rated PG-13 for any of the following reasons "violence/fantasy violence" "scary images" "frightening moments" "adult content (I have seen SEVERAL films rated PG-13 for that alone)", etc.

First of all, yes many children love Harry Potter--many children love EVERYTHING...Star Wars, LOTR, Spiderman, X-Men, etc, etc...that does not mean they fully understand them. The primary fanbase, however, consists of teenagers and adults. That is a fact. There is absolutely no reason to worry about alienating the fans by rating it PG-13. In fact, they will attract MANY more people to the franchise.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is not a children's book. The marketing team for some reason is under the impression that all the books are on the same level. There are many very adult and sophisticated themes running throughout the book. First of all the central characters are teenagers dealing with teen issues. Also, think about this: the basic plot of this story is, Harry's name is put into the goblet of fire by someone under the dark lord's power, in order to deliver him (Harry) into his hands so that he can murder him. Such a kiddie plot huh? (Note the sarcasm). But think about it...think about everything that happens. There is more than one murder--again, it does not have to be bloody and graphic (this is a very serious story, so you cannot compare it to the campy deaths in A Serious Of Unfortunate Events), Harry is tortured by Lord Voldemort...just think about everything that happens after Harry and Cedric put their hands on the trophy/portkey and are transported to the grave yard.

This, as has been stated in several publications, is a transitional story (the book is as well as the film). Again the primary audience consists of teens and adults. So what is the problem with it being rated PG-13? The series was not written for children but for JKR herself and it was designed to grow, mature, and darken with Harry. We see the world through his eyes. The Sorcerer's Stone era is long gone. People need to realize this and understand that there is a lot of horrific and terrifying things to come. The series will only get darker, more gritty and intense, far more mature (it already has), sophisticated, and complex as this very intricate web comes to a close.

I fullheartedly agree with GobletOfBlood. Couldn't have said it better myself. To me the whole "children's series" label seems forced. After the second book/film how are they for kids? Also, when it comes to GOF (the film) these are 14 year olds we're talking about. They are teenagers dealing with some extremely mature issues. How is it in any way for young kids? It's got nothing to do with them. Not saying they shouldn't be allowed to watch it neccessarily, but people make light of Harry Potter far too much. It's on the same level as The Lord of the Rings trilogy by the time POA rolls around, but especially when GOF comes into the picture. If it is not PG-13 I will not only be absolutely infuriated, but I will lose all faith in the future films and in Warner Brothers entirely.

MOD EDIT : Hi and welcome to the forums!! In future, could you please refrain from quoting so extensively off another member's post? You didn't have to quote the entire post. Either select the specific parts of the member's post or do as what I've done for you, quote the member whose post you agree with. Your post has been edited.

I've actually thought about that a number of times.... i Hope it's rated PG, i think it is, because all the HP movies Where rated PG... i'm thinking that OOTP might be rated PG-13 but i could be Wrong...

I think it's kinda on the Vergue of Becoming PG-13 cause:

• the 3 Tasks
• Voldemort and his Death eaters
• Cedric Diggory's death

Hey now, whoa up there.

Unless you want to create yourself a problem as soon as you get here, I suggest you watch your tone.

If you want to take up an issue with the moderators, do it via PM.

I'm trying to keep an eye on this forum on my own at the moment, and I really don't have the time to deal with people like yourself who choose to bip at us in the thread. I'll just put you on mod preview to stop you posting until I get a hand here, so if you want to continue to be a member of this forum, read the rules, respect the moderators and behave, or you can leave. It's as simple as that.

Try visiting Amazon - there you'll see that HP is classified for children as young as 9. No where has it ever been said that this is a teenage or adult series....it has however been said that it is not just for children - a subtlety that makes the world of difference.

And at a time where rather graphic scenes such as those in Batman Begins (I'm thinking of the Scarecrow bad-tripping scenes) warrant merely a PG-12 certificate, then I hardly think there's need to worry about HP. It doesn't have anything even remotely as terrifying as rotting, bloated corpses, maggots wriggling out of people's eye-sockets and 'Four-Horseman of the Apocalypse' imagery.

That's not to say it will be toned down - I don't think it will. But clearly the classification board judges that children under 12 are far more able to deal with those sorts of images than most people believe. So, consequently, it's far more likely to be a PG with possibly a guidance rating in very tiny print underneath.

Well you're entitled to your opinion, but nine year olds are not going to get the later Harry Potter books. They're far too mature and sophisticated. What's funny is JK Rowling herself has said several times she DID NOT write these for any specific audience and she never intended these books for young kids. Besides, amazon.com doesn't know anything. They have so much faulty information it's unbelievable. I am sure it will be PG-13. It needs to be. It's the crossover book and the crossover film. It's not for 9 year olds. It's for teenagers and adults. Period.

It wasn't amazon.com, it was amazon.co.uk.

Splitting hairs aside, it's not really an issue that's worth debating as it's not up to any of us at the end of the day. If it's PG-13, then fine...if it's PG, that's fine...seeing as how it's likely to be an insult to the books anyway after all the cuts they've made and I have no intention of going to see it.

My point was that the ratings system needs an overhaul if films such as Batman Begins and Terminator 3 carry PG-13 ratings with some of the horrific imagery in there. I don't think HP even comes close to that.

You're not going to go see it because things that were not important were cut? What was cut that is crucial? I mean you have the proper opening scene, the QWC, the dark mark scene, the yule ball, all three tasks,all the important elements in between as well, the graveyard scene, etc, etc. What is so crucial that was cut? I don't get what everyone's problem is. The Dursleys are unimportant, Dobby, Winky, Ludo Bagman, etc are all unimportant in the sense that their absence is not going to screw up the continuity of the storyline.

I think that PG-13 would be suitable for the fourth book

I don't think it really matters if it is PG or PG-13. If it is true to the plot of the book it is fine with me.

Well i must say that i am excited to see the Movie. I am kind of dicipointed with all of the stuff left out in the previous movies.

I think that it should be rated pg-13 cuz there is "snogging" and death. I am not sure that little kids would what to see that.

I think that GoF was a really good book, maybe my favorite. Not sure though cuz they are all so good.

I am looking forward to the Triwizard tournament and the romance, that may sound corny, but oh well.