PG-13 Movies That Needed to Be Rated R

Highlights

R-rated movies thrive on telling stories with no restrictions, leading to massive box office hits and creative freedom.
PG-13 ratings can hinder critical reception and box office success, as viewers crave the mayhem and gritty themes of an R-rated film.
Movies like Borderlands and Alita could have benefited from being R-rated, allowing for more action, violence, and true adaptation to the source material.

As a lifelong fan of action movies and a connoisseur of the gritty underbelly of cinematic storytelling, I wholeheartedly agree with this analysis. It seems that our beloved filmmakers are often shackled by the constraints of PG-13 ratings, denying us the full potential of these blockbuster franchises.

Due to the remarkable triumph of Deadpool, movie producers are increasingly less apprehensive about producing R-rated films. Historically, R-rated films were perceived as risky and unprofitable because they weren’t suitable for family viewing due to explicit content. However, in 2024, this is no longer true, and many movies reap the rewards of the unrestricted chaos that an R-rating allows, such as Deadpool and Wolverine.

A PG-13 rating doesn’t guarantee a movie’s success or positive reviews, nor its box office performance. Some films have faced challenges due to their PG-13 classification, and it is only in an alternate universe that PG-13 movies initially intended for an R-rating might have flourished.

7 Borderlands

A Movie That Lacks The Violence and Humor of Borderlands

Release Date: August 8, 2024
Director: Eli Roth
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 9%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 50%

To begin with, the latest PG-13 film contender believed to merit an R-rating is “Borderlands”. Known for its chaos and violence in the popular video game franchise, the movie could have benefited from more of that intensity. It’s not the top-tier video game adaptation, and there are several reasons why this might be so. However, an R-rating potentially would have boosted the creative aspects of the film.

If the movie adaptation of Borderlands were rated R, it would allow for an abundance of action and humor to flourish. With sci-fi settings reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy and Mad Max, Borderlands could seamlessly combine these elements in a violent yet heartfelt tribute to its source material.

6 Casino Royale

James Bond’s Daniel Craig Reboot Goes Dark, but is it Dark Enough?

Release Date: November 17, 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 94%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%

In this fresh installment, James Bond, now portrayed by Daniel Craig, reappears sporting a new visage. This time around, audiences are drawn into an exhilarating crime drama series where espionage and chic sophistication take center stage. The mission for our suave secret agent is to thwart Le Chiffre, a banker affiliated with the world’s most notorious criminal network, from triumphing in a high-stakes poker game that dominates the underground market.

As a hardcore gamer, I’d say that the movie “Casino Royale” is an outstanding piece of cinematic art, especially for spy, espionage, and underworld intrigue enthusiasts like me. However, I can’t help but feel it could have been even more impactful with an R-rating. You see, James Bond films should delve deeper into the brutal reality of the criminal underworld, given the serious and often sensitive nature of the terrorist threats he confronts. This might include graphic violence and mature themes that truly reflect the ruthless action we gamers crave.

5 Transformers: Age of Extinction

Optimus Prime is at His Lowest, but the Violence Never Reaches Beyond PG-13

Release Date: June 27, 2014
Director: Michael Bay
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 18%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 50%

The Michael Bay-directed Transformers trilogy, known for its action violence, crude humor, and deviations from established lore, still managed to provide an enjoyable experience. Later on, Michael Bay revisited the Transformers universe with Bumblebee (or Age of Extinction), introducing once more the beloved Autobots, along with revamped Decepticons, in a conflict with humans aiming to eliminate them from our planet.

As someone who’s grown up watching the Transformers series, it’s hard not to feel that Age of Extinction could have been even more impactful if it had mirrored our own journey. With Optimus Prime at his most vulnerable, surrounded by a scattered or fallen Autobot force, this movie could have delved deeper into darker themes that resonate with us, such as self-worth and the harsh realities of violence.

4 World War Z

A Movie With Spectacle, but Not So Much Substance

Release Date: June 21, 2013
Director: Marc Forster
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 67%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 72%

As a devoted fan, I must say that the book “World War Z” holds a special place in my heart, but the film of the same title, while intriguing, didn’t quite live up to the same level of excitement for me. Starring Brad Pitt, it seemed poised to deliver an unforgettable journey through the realm of zombies as we raced against time to prevent a grim fate for humanity: cannibalism on a global scale. However, a PG-13 rating restrained the film from fully exploring the brutal and terrifying aspects of this world, leaving both the violence and the threat of the zombies somewhat muted.

It would have been more engaging if the movie adaptation of World War Z stayed truer to the source material, with a constant sense of zombie threat looming and characters struggling to survive and save humanity. An R-rating might have enhanced this feeling, similar to how it did in the film 28 Days Later.

3 Venom: Let There Be Carnage

A Lethal Protector and an Alien Serial Killer, Held Back by PG-13 Requirements

Release Date: October 1, 2021
Director: Andy Serkis
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 57%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%

Many comic book films could benefit from an R-rating, but among them, one title truly shines – “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”. This movie introduces the terrifying villain, Carnage, who is a psychopathic murderer connected to a symbiote capable of unbridled violence and horrifying methods. Additionally, director Andy Serkis, known for his motion capture expertise, joined the project, fueling anticipation for this Venom sequel.

As a fan, I can’t help but feel that the occasional explicit language in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” doesn’t hinder its ability to sink its teeth deep into the criminal underworld. Venom, the Lethal Protector, should have ample opportunity to showcase his lethal prowess and protective instincts without holding back, especially when it comes to portraying Woody Harrelson as a formidable serial killer bound to an alien. It’s a shame that the need for a PG-13 rating seems to limit the full potential of this fascinating character development.

2 Edge of Tomorrow

Tom Cruise Suffers a Time Loop of Death Against Aliens

Release Date: June 6, 2014
Director: Doug Liman
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 91%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%

Following an unexpected alien invasion on Earth, a united military force dispatches soldiers into a battle that seems like a certain death trap. One soldier in specific, Major William Cage, discovers he possesses the ability to relive the same events repeatedly, until he can figure out how to escape this loop and drive the aliens away from our planet.

As a gamer, I can’t help but rave about Edge of Tomorrow! The action is thrilling, and it’s a blast seeing Tom Cruise stepping out of his comfort zone as a timid soldier who meets an untimely end, over and over again. It’s a unique spin that keeps you hooked. However, I believe this movie could reach new heights if it were given an R-rating. The intensity of the battles faced by Cruise’s character would be amplified, adding another layer to the plot’s edge.

1 Alita: Battle Angel

Release Date: February 14, 2019
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 61%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 91%

As a devoted fan, let me express how I feel about the movie “Alita: Battle Angel.” In my opinion, this film is unfairly overlooked as it masterfully brings the manga to life on the big screen. The story revolves around Alita, a cyborg who discovers her own humanity through Ido, a brilliant cyber-doctor. This extraordinary being navigates both the darkest and brightest aspects of humanity within Iron City, where she embarks on a journey to unravel her enigmatic past amidst fierce battles.

It’s plausible that Alita: Battle Angel would have had a stronger case for a sequel if it had fully embraced its R-rated roots instead of being toned down to a PG-13 rating. While the current film is well-made, it could significantly enhance the storyline set in a cyberpunk world like this one by delving deeper into graphic violence and adult themes.

2024-08-13 00:05