The MPAA Ratings System: How it Changed the Film Industry Forever

Paper by Rion Mains.

Before the late 1960s, Hollywood films were controlled by the Production Code, which
was a strict set of censorship guidelines that limited what could be shown on screen from 1934 to 1968. The code restricted content such as sex, nudity, crime, and violence, which forced filmmakers to follow strict moral codes and rules that often led to unrealistic and overly censored depictions of life. As society began to change in the 1960s these restrictions became outdated and filmmakers started to push back because there were many instances where films that were denied by the code were still released and became successful. This led to the creation of the MPAA ratings system in 1968. The rating system allowed more freedom and fewer restrictions of themes like sex, violence, and adult content. Films like Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969) and The French Connection (William Friedkin, 1971) clearly show this shift in Hollywood filmmaking. This paper argues that the creation of the MPAA ratings system in 1968 was a major turning point in the film industry by replacing the restrictive Production Code with a system that allowed more mature and realistic content. Films like Midnight Cowboy and The French Connection show this change through their use of mature themes, realism, and imperfect characters that would not have been possible under the Production Code. By analyzing these films and their historical context, this paper shows how the ratings system reshaped Hollywood filmmaking and continues to influence the kinds of films produced today.

The Production Code placed strict limitations on what filmmakers could show when it
came to topics like sex, crime, and morals. It includes a long list of “dont’s” like banning nudity,
sex, drug use, and excessive violence. There was also a “be careful” list that discouraged topics
like showing crime techniques or sympathy for criminals(Lecture Slides Unit 1). Because of
these strict rules and guidelines, films showed clear distinctions between right and wrong and
avoided realistic and complex portrayals of society. According to Gregory D. Black, the
Production Code Administration “closely scrutinized every Hollywood script for offensive
social, political, and sexual themes”(Black, p.168). This shows how heavily controlled film
content was. This control also imposed “a rigidly conservative view of politics and
morality”(Black, p.168). This limited creative freedom and shaped how stories were told, which
took away any realism. As a result, films were restricted from exploring real-world issues, and
the code ultimately “cut the movies off from many of the most important moral and social
themes” of the time(Black, p.168). This shows how the Production Code limited storytelling and
prevented films from having realism.

The production code began to decline as it became more difficult to enforce and less
relevant to audiences as society changed. As films started to include more realistic and
controversial topics, filmmakers began pushing against the strict limitations that had been in
place for decades. Some films that were denied by the Production Code were still released, and
ended up being big hits, which caused filmmakers to dismiss the Production Code. The success
of these films showed that audiences were interested in more realistic and mature storytelling and
themes. This shift made it clear that the code was no longer effective in controlling film content.
Over time, the gap between what the code allowed and what filmmakers wanted to show got
bigger, which weakened the influence of the code. As a result, the Production Code gradually
lost its power and influence which made way for a new system that would allow more creative
freedom in Hollywood.

The MPAA ratings system was created in 1968 as a response to the collapse of the
Production Code and the societal changes of the time. According to Thomas Doherty, the
Production Code had become “antiquated” and was no longer able to keep up with shifting
societal values and the expectations and wants of the audience(Doherty, p.10). In response, the
Motion Picture Association introduced a new system that focused on categorizing films based on
their level of explicit content rather than just banning it altogether. Instead of banning content,
films were placed into categories like G, PG, R, and X, which allowed audiences to decide what
was appropriate for them. This marked a major shift in the film industry because the new goal
was to allow creative freedom and provide the audience with what they wanted.

The new system was designed to reflect the new changes of society and give filmmakers
more creative freedom. Doherty explains that the new system replaced the strict “moral
absolutism” of the Production Code with more flexible guidelines that were “designed to keep in
closer harmony with the mores, culture, moral sense, and the expectation of our
society”(Doherty, p.13). This allowed films to explore topics like sex, violence, and controversial
social issues in ways that had been restricted in the past. As a result, the ratings system opened
doors for a new era of filmmaking that was more realistic and reflective of real life which
supports the shift seen in films like Midnight Cowboy and The French Connection.

After the MPAA ratings system was made, Hollywood films started to include more
controversial and realistic content that had been restricted under the Production Code in the past.
Because of the fewer limitations, filmmakers were able to explore topics like sex, violence, and
more complex characters in an open and realistic way. As talked about in Unit 3, this change also
marked a bigger shift in the types of films being made and who they were made for. Earlier
films, like beach and music films in the 1960s, were aimed at a clean, middle-class audience and
followed safe and predictable formulas(Lecture Slides Unit 3). However, by the late 1960s and
early 1970s, films began targeting younger audiences and reflecting more realistic and
sometimes darker aspects of life. Unit 3 also notes that a sense of permissiveness led to the end
of censorship and the rise of a new kind of cinema that included more realistic violence, more
sex, and more serious social issues. The influence of exploitation films also played a role, as
these low-budget films often focused on shocking or popular trends and topics and helped push
boundaries in what could be shown on screen(Lecture Slides Unit 3). Overall, this shift helped
create a new era of filmmaking that moved away from idealized stories and toward more realistic
and mature content, like Midnight Cowboy and The French Connection.

Midnight Cowboy is one of the most important films to come out of the new MPAA
ratings system and clearly shows the shift toward more mature and realistic content in
Hollywood. The film openly includes topics that were restricted under the Production Code, like
prostitution, sexuality, and urban poverty. The story follows Joe Buck(Jon V oight), a young man
who moves to New York City hoping to make money as a hustler, but instead becomes trapped in
a harsh environment. The film’s focus on loneliness, survival, and not succeeding in society
reflects a much darker and more realistic portrayal of American life than earlier films. According
to James Kendrick, Midnight Cowboy presents “desperate characters on the fringes of a failing
society” and is “grounded in an almost documentary-like realism” which helps show how
different it is from traditional Hollywood films(Kendrick, p.8).

In addition to its themes, the film’s style also reflects the new creative freedom allowed
by the ratings system. It used fragmented editing, flashbacks, and showed the story from the
character’s point of view, which created a more complex and emotional view for the audience.
Kendrick explains that the film is “unburdened by traditional, dramatic narrative conventions”
and instead blends elements of European art cinema with mainstream Hollywood
filmmaking(Kendrick, p.8). This shows how filmmakers were beginning to experiment more
with styles and storytelling during this time because they finally had the freedom to, under the
ratings system. The characters in Midnight Cowboy are also far from perfect heroes. Both Joe
and Ratso(Dustin Hoffman) are extremely flawed and struggle just to survive. This kind of
character complexity would not have been allowed under the Production Code. Overall,
Midnight Cowboy demonstrates how the MPAA ratings system made it possible for filmmakers
to explore more realistic stories, controversial topics, and deeper character development, which
shows that this shift was a major turning point in the film industry.

The French Connection is a crime film that reflects the shift toward realism in New
Hollywood cinema. The film follows a detective, Popeye Doyle(Gene Hackman), as he tries to
track down a huge heroin smuggling operation in New York City. Unlike earlier Hollywood
films it had many realistic and detailed depictions of crime and law enforcement. Films in the
1970s began to emphasize realism, violence, and complex characters, which is clearly seen in
this film. It can be seen specifically in the major car chase scene.

In The French Connection, the car chase scene shows the shift toward realism and less
structured storytelling that took over New American cinema. In this scene, Doyle is chasing a
suspect who is escaping on an elevated train while Doyle follows underneath in a car through
busy streets. The situation quickly becomes dangerous as he speeds through traffic, runs red
lights, and almost hits pedestrians, showing how out of control the chase became. Unlike earlier
Hollywood films that used controlled editing and action, this scene feels chaotic, fast, and
unpredictable. The camera is shaky and looks handheld which puts the audience in the scene too.
The violence in this scene is sudden and unsettling, because innocent people are almost hit,
showing that Doyle lacks the control often seen in a traditional hero. This connects to what film
scholars say about 1970s films focusing on more realistic characters, where “the central
characters are passive, anti-social, and goal-less”(Noel et al., p.51). Doyle fits this idea, since his
obsessive behavior and questionable actions blur the line between hero and antihero. Instead of
having a clear goal or resolution, this scene is messy and unpredictable, showing a “crisis of
motivation”(Noel et al., p.50). The car chase shows a new style of filmmaking and also reflects
the larger shift toward realism and more complex characters during this time.

The changes brought by the MPAA ratings system had a major impact on Hollywood and
helped shape the direction of films in the 1970s. Unit 3 discusses how the removal of the
Production Code allowed filmmakers to explore more realistic stories including more violence,
sex, and complex characters. This shift helped lead to what is known as New Hollywood which
was a movement where a new generation of filmmakers changed the types of films being made
and focused more on realism and less traditional storytelling. As the Wikipedia article “New
Hollywood” explains, New Hollywood films often moved away from classical storytelling and
gave more control to directors rather than studios(“New Hollywood”). This gave directors more
freedom to take risks and experiment with new styles.

Studios also began to recognize that audiences, especially younger people, were
interested in films that felt more authentic and reflective of real life. Unit 3 states that a large
portion of moviegoers during this time were between the ages of 16 and 24, and the younger
audience had grown up watching television which made them more open to new types of
films(Lecture Slides Unit 3). Because of this, Hollywood started producing films that were more
experimental and less focused on morality. The ratings system helped shift the industry toward
more creative and realistic filmmaking which became a huge part of American cinema during
this time and continues to influence films today.

The impact of the MPAA ratings system can still be seen in today’s film industry, which
shows how important this change was for Hollywood. The system is still used today, except it
updated slightly to G, PG, PG-13, and R. It continues to guide audiences to watch films that are
appropriate for them. Instead of strict censorship like the Production Code, filmmakers have
continued to have the freedom to include mature content, letting audiences choose what they
want to watch based on the rating. This has allowed films to continue to show topics like
violence, sex, and complex or deep emotional topics. Because of this, films have continued to
move away from unrealistic stories and over time have gained even more relatability and
realism. Many modern films focus on dark themes and flawed characters which would not have
been possible without the ratings system.

The ratings system also affects how films are marketed and who they are made for.
Studios use ratings to target specific audiences, like younger viewers, who were already a large
part of movie audiences in the 1970s. Because of this, filmmakers think about ratings when
creating their films. The ratings system is still important today because it allows creative
freedom while helping organize films for audiences, and it continues to shape the types of films
that are made.

In conclusion, the creation of the MPAA ratings system in 1968 was a major turning
point in the history of American film. It replaced the strict rules of the Production Code and
allowed filmmakers to explore more realistic and mature content. This change made it possible
for films like Midnight Cowboy and The French Connection to include themes like violence,
sexuality, and complex characters that would have not been allowed before. As shown
throughout this paper, these films reflect the shift toward more realistic storytelling and more
creative freedom for directors. The ratings system also helped Hollywood adjust to changing
audiences, especially younger viewers who were looking for more authentic films that were
relevant to their lives. This shift led to a new style of filmmaking that focused on more
real-world issues and less on “perfect” stories. Overall, the impact of the ratings system is still
seen today and it continues to shape the types of films that are made and how they are presented
to audiences. This shows that changes in the film industry can have a long-lasting impact on both
storytelling and the way audiences get to enjoy movies.

Works Cited

Black, Gregory D. “Hollywood Censored: The Production Code Administration and the Hollywood Film Industry, 1930-1940. ” Film History (New York, N.Y.) [New York], vol. 3, no. 3, January 1989, pp. 167–89.
Doherty, Thomas. “SEX, VIOLENCE, AND ADULT THEMES: The MPAA and the Birth of the Film Ratings System. ” Cinéaste (New York, N.Y.) [New York], vol. 42, no. 4, September 22, 2017, pp. 10–15.
Kendrick, James. Midnight Cowboy. 1st ed., British Film Institute, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5040/9781839025198.
King, Noel, et al. The Last Great American Picture Show: New Hollywood Cinema in the 1970s. 1st ed., vol. 1, Routledge, 2004, https://doi.org/10.5117/9789053566312.
Maestu, Nico. “Unit 1: 1960s: The Studio System: 1920s-1950s/The Decline/Television. ” Film Studies- 107, taught by Nico Maestu, Canvas, 9 January 2026, https://canvas.sbcc.edu/courses/72002/pages/unit-1-objectives-lecture-reading-clips-link
Maestu, Nico. “Unit 3: 1960s: Genres and Filmmakers/Ratings System/New Films, New Content. ” Film Studies- 107, taught by Nico Maestu, Canvas, 9 February 2026, https://canvas.sbcc.edu/courses/72002/pages/unit-3-objectives-lecture-reading-clips-link
Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, last modified 24 Apr. 2026,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NewHollywood