Prime Video is one of the world’s largest streaming platforms, offering everything from family-friendly shows to mature originals and blockbuster films. But with so many titles available — and a growing library of adult content — parents and viewers alike often ask:
“How does Amazon Prime Video rate its content, and how can I restrict what my kids watch?”
This complete guide breaks down the Amazon Prime Video age rating system, maturity levels, and parental control features, helping you make smart, safe viewing decisions for your household.
Why Age Ratings on Amazon Prime Video Matter
Amazon Prime Video serves millions of viewers of all ages. Its content ranges from preschool cartoons and documentaries to violent thrillers and mature dramas.
Because of that diversity, age ratings play a vital role in:
- Helping parents identify suitable shows and movies for kids and teens.
- Allowing adults to filter or block mature content.
- Providing consistent information about language, violence, sexual content, and themes.
Amazon uses industry-standard age classifications — often based on regional film and television boards — to indicate whether a title is appropriate for all audiences or only mature viewers.
How the Amazon Prime Video Age Rating System Works
Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have its own rating system. Instead, it adopts existing regional standards — such as the MPA (Motion Picture Association) and TV Parental Guidelines in the U.S., or BBFC, CBFC, and PEGI in international markets.
When you click on a title, you’ll see a rating label like TV-14 or R, followed by a brief content descriptor (e.g., “violence, language, sexual content”). These help viewers understand why a program carries that classification.
Amazon Prime Video Age Ratings in the United States
In the U.S., Amazon Prime Video follows the MPA film rating system for movies and the TV Parental Guidelines for shows.
Here’s a breakdown:
| Rating | Type | Age Recommendation | What It Means | Example Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV-Y | TV | All Children | Suitable for very young children | Pete the Cat |
| TV-Y7 | TV | 7+ | Mild fantasy violence or themes | Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny |
| G | Movie | All Ages | No offensive material | Paddington |
| TV-G | TV | All Ages | General viewing | Just Add Magic |
| PG | Movie | Parental Guidance | Some material may not suit children | Hotel Transylvania 3 |
| TV-PG | TV | Parental Guidance | Mild violence, language, or themes | The Grand Tour |
| PG-13 | Movie | 13+ | Stronger themes, language, or violence | The Tomorrow War |
| TV-14 | TV | 14+ | Intense themes or mild sexual content | Jack Ryan, The Boys Presents: Diabolical |
| R | Movie | 17+ | Strong language, violence, sexual content | Reacher, Without Remorse |
| TV-MA | TV | Adults Only | Explicit or mature content | The Boys, Invincible |
| NC-17 | Movie | Adults Only | Explicit sexual or violent content | Rarely used on Amazon |
Regional Age Ratings (Outside the U.S.)
Amazon adjusts age ratings based on local classification boards:
| Region | Rating Boards Used | Example Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) | U, PG, 12, 15, 18 |
| India | CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) | U, UA 7+, UA 13+, A |
| Germany | FSK (Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft) | 0, 6, 12, 16, 18 |
| Australia | Australian Classification Board | G, PG, M, MA15+, R18+ |
| Canada | Canadian Home Video Rating System | G, PG, 14+, 18A |
| Japan | Eirin / Computer Entertainment Rating Organization | G, PG12, R15+, R18+ |
This ensures that each country’s cultural and legal standards are respected.
Understanding Maturity Ratings and Descriptors
Each age rating is often paired with a content descriptor, briefly explaining why it received that classification.
Common descriptors include:
- Violence (intense action, graphic scenes)
- Language (profanity, slurs)
- Sexual content or nudity
- Drug or alcohol use
- Frightening scenes
- Mature themes (suicide, trauma, abuse)
For example:
- The Boys — TV-MA (Graphic violence, sexual content, language)
- Jack Ryan — TV-14 (Violence, strong themes)
- Paddington — G (Mild humor, adventure)
Amazon prominently displays these in each title’s details page or at the start of playback.
How to Set Up Parental Controls on Amazon Prime Video
Parental controls are Amazon’s most important safety tool for families. They allow you to restrict content by rating, create PIN protection, and monitor what kids can access.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Access Amazon Parental Controls
You can find these in two places:
- On desktop: Go to Prime Video Settings
- On mobile: Open the Prime Video app → Profile → Settings → Parental Controls
Step 2: Set a Viewing Restriction Level
Choose from preset maturity categories:
| Restriction Level | Includes Ratings Up To | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| General | G, TV-Y, TV-G | All audiences |
| Family | PG, TV-PG | Kids and teens |
| Teen | PG-13, TV-14 | Teenagers |
| Mature | R, NC-17, TV-MA | Adults |
Any content above the selected level will require a PIN before playback.
Step 3: Create a PIN
- In the parental controls menu, select “Change Prime Video PIN.”
- Enter a five-digit code.
- This PIN is required to watch restricted content or change settings.
Step 4: Apply Restrictions to Specific Devices
Amazon lets you choose where restrictions apply:
- All devices using your account
- Specific devices (TV, tablet, Fire Stick, etc.)
This feature is especially useful for families sharing one Amazon account across multiple screens.
Step 5: Enable Purchase Restrictions
To avoid accidental or unauthorized rentals/purchases:
- Turn on Purchase Restrictions under Parental Controls.
- You can require the PIN for any movie or show purchase.
Using Amazon Kids Profiles (Family-Friendly Viewing)
For younger viewers, Amazon offers Kids Profiles through both Prime Video and the Amazon Kids+ app.
Features of Kids Profiles:
- Shows only G, PG, or TV-Y rated titles.
- Removes mature browsing suggestions.
- Personalized recommendations for children.
- Voice search filters out mature titles.
Parents can also set screen time limits and bedtime cutoffs using Amazon Kids+ settings.
Where to Find Ratings on Amazon Prime Video
You can view a show or movie’s rating:
- On the title’s info page (next to the runtime).
- At the start of playback, before the video begins.
- In search results (hover or tap for rating info).
- In the Prime Video app, under “More Details.”
Ratings are consistent across devices — Fire TV, smart TVs, mobile apps, and browsers.
Examples of Age Ratings on Popular Prime Video Titles
| Title | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Boys | TV-MA | Graphic violence, sexual content, strong language |
| Jack Ryan | TV-14 | Intense action, violence, strong themes |
| Reacher | TV-MA | Brutal violence, language, sexual content |
| Citadel | TV-14 | Violence, mild language |
| The Summer I Turned Pretty | TV-14 | Romantic themes, mild language |
| Good Omens | TV-MA | Mature themes, language, fantasy violence |
| Pete the Cat | TV-Y | Educational content for preschoolers |
| Hotel Transylvania 3 | PG | Mild humor, animated action |
How Ratings Differ Between Amazon Originals and Licensed Titles
Amazon Originals are rated internally using standard U.S. systems, while licensed titles display the rating provided by their original distributor (e.g., Warner Bros., Paramount, BBC).
For instance:
- The Boys → Amazon Studios → TV-MA
- The Office (US) → NBC Universal → TV-14
- Paddington → StudioCanal → G
So while the presentation is consistent, the criteria may differ slightly by studio or origin.
What Happens If You Change Region or Travel
Amazon automatically adjusts content visibility and ratings based on your current region or VPN location.
A show available in the U.S. with a TV-14 rating may appear as 15+ or 16+ in Europe.
When traveling:
- Some restricted titles may become unavailable.
- Local censorship laws apply.
- Parental controls and PINs still function globally.
Common Parental Concerns
Content Accessibility Loopholes
Children may sometimes access mature content through search or thumbnails. The safest fix is to use Kids Profiles, not just rating limits.
Shared Accounts
Households with shared Prime accounts should ensure each member uses separate profiles with proper PIN locks.
How Amazon’s System Compares to Other Streamers
| Platform | Rating System | Parental Controls | Individual Profiles | Title Blocking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | MPA + TV Guidelines | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Netflix | MPA + TV Guidelines | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Disney+ | Numeric (0+–18+) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hulu | MPA + TV Guidelines | Yes | Yes | No |
| Apple TV+ | TV Guidelines | Yes | Yes | No |
Amazon stands out for offering per-device restrictions and purchase PINs, features missing from some competitors.
Expert Tips for Parents
- Create separate profiles for kids and adults.
- Set a strong PIN — not a birthday or easy sequence.
- Review watch history regularly.
- Use Amazon Kids+ for children under 12.
- Avoid sharing accounts with teens on the same profile.
- Cross-check ratings on multiple platforms for context.
- Disable autoplay (under Playback settings) to control binge-watching.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I block specific shows or movies on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes. Under Parental Controls → Blocked Content, you can manually add titles you want to restrict, regardless of their rating.
Q: Does Amazon Prime Video have Kids Mode?
Yes. Kids Mode filters out all content above G/PG ratings and displays a child-friendly interface.
Q: Can I set different restrictions for different devices?
Yes. You can apply restrictions on specific devices (e.g., Fire Stick, Smart TV) instead of the entire account.
Q: Does Amazon rate live or rented content differently?
Yes. Rentals and purchases follow the distributor’s assigned rating. Parental controls apply the same restrictions to purchased content.
Q: Can teens bypass parental controls?
Not easily. All restricted content requires your 5-digit PIN. Just be sure not to share the main account password.
Amazon Prime Video’s age rating and parental control system give families a powerful way to manage viewing safely. By understanding the rating symbols, setting a PIN, and using Kids Profiles, parents can protect children from mature material while enjoying Amazon’s vast entertainment library.
The key is to stay proactive — review settings regularly, check ratings before viewing, and talk openly with kids about what they watch.