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In a surprise decision, the MPAA has given Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince a PG rating. The last two films have been rated PG-13 for "sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images," and in a series that gets progressively darker, these traits certainly won't be missing from the film adaptation of the penultimate novel. But perhaps they won't be quite as severe as they have in the past, as the MPAA simply warns viewers against "scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality." The last Potter film to receive a PG rating was Prisoner of Azkaban, which is the lowest-grossing movie in the series, bringing in a mere $249 million.
Warner Bros. expected another PG-13 label for the latest release, and now some people are questioning how the lower rating will affect ticket sales. According to Variety, the PG label is usually a profitable one, as it marks a film as perfect family fare. Sometimes, however, a PG-13 rating can be a blessing, as it indicates to teenaged audiences that the movie isn't too childish for them. But in a franchise as beloved as the Potter series, it seems nearly impossible that the two-digit difference could hinder profits.
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I am kind of surprised about this, as I thought that the HP films were steadily moving toward (necessarily) 'deeper' and more 'adult' fare.
But perhaps it's all about the bottom line, just like with making R-rated-esque films PG-13 to make more money, perhaps that's why this film's rating was pushed down again.
And as a huge Prisoner of Azkaban/Alfonso Cuaron fan, I feel compelled to say that while PoA may be the least financially successful, I do think it's the best film so far, a witty and effective movie in its own right. (Definitely better than those mediocre-ish first two!)