Learn and Watch, don’t Watch and Learn (the hard way) – ‘Find a Rating’ Tool

What’s the Find a Rating Tool?

It’s your one-stop shop for checking the age ratings and content warnings for films, series, and video games in Aotearoa. Wondering if that new Marvel blockbuster is okay for whānau movie night? Or if that horror flick might have just a bit too much blood for your own liking? With a quick search, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Why Does It Matter?

Knowing what’s in a film, series, or game means making informed choices for yourself and your whānau. Whether you’re steering clear of upsetting content for younger viewers or just trying to avoid being caught off guard, the Find a Rating tool makes it simple.

Of the New Zealanders who have helped a young person choose what to watch or play in the past year, most say age ratings are important. But hey, it’s not just for tamariki. I’ll admit – I use it all the time to gauge whether a horror movie’s jump scares are going to have me hiding behind the couch. (No judgment!)

What Can You Find?

Movie and series ratings: Get a clear overview of the age rating, content warnings, and runtimes to plan your next binge-watch or whānau movie night.

Content breakdowns: Want more detail? We provide in-depth summaries of key themes and content warnings for new or trending titles, so you know exactly what to expect.

Video game ratings: You can look up ratings, themes, and warnings for certain video games on the Find a Rating tool. However, we recommend checking out our Gaming Resource Hub for more information and advice about platforms and games.

Content Breakdowns: Get More Info, Fast

Ever seen a content warning like “M | Violence” and thought, “Okay, but what kind of violence?” Or worse – there’s no warning at all, leaving you completely in the dark. That’s where our Content Breakdowns step in. These detailed summaries give context around content warnings, so you know what to expect (with minimal spoilers involved!)

Here are a couple of recent examples:

• Wicked is rated PG with no content warnings. We’ve highlighted parts of the film that could potentially be upsetting for younger viewers, acknowledging that every child's tolerance is different.
• The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim has an M rating for violence—our Quick Take explains exactly what that entails.
• We Live in Time, which is rated M with warnings for sex scenes, offensive language and nudity, also has a heavy focus on terminal illness. Our breakdown provides context, so you know what to expect.

Even for older viewers, it’s worth checking the advice. Some content can catch you off guard, and having extra info can help you prepare—or avoid it altogether.

If a movie or series focuses heavily on topics like suicide, sexual violence, or domestic violence, we often create Detailed Impactful Content Guides for our blogs page. These guides go further, helping viewers stay informed and safe.

Still Searching?

If you don’t find what you’re after, don’t stress—we’ve got backup tools:

• NZ Register of Classification Decisions: The ultimate database for those hard-to-find publications that might not show up in a regular search.
• Film and Video Labelling Database: Love a good retro flick or indie gem? This archive spans film classifications from 1994 to today, covering everything from 90s favourites to the newest releases.

Find Your Perfect Match

Ready to avoid those “oops” moments and enjoy your entertainment stress-free? Head to our Find a Rating page now – it’s quick, easy, and gives you all the info you need to make the best choices for you and your whānau.

Other Resources: 

• Gaming Resource Hub: Your go to for all things related to gaming, including our role in gaming classification, a guide to understanding classifications, and how to keep children safe while gaming.
• Parental Controls: Parents can learn what tools to use to protect children from unexpectedly seeing unwanted content on streaming services and social media.
• Blogs: Access detailed information and guidance about specific types of content, especially when it has the potential to be harmful.
• Research: Check out our research on areas relevant to our work, including our most recent survey of public opinion about the New Zealand classification system.

Further Reading:

• Find a rating
• When trauma is involved, there are no spoilers
• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Talking with young people about what they’re watching