Hong Kong film rating system

The Hong Kong film rating system (香港電影分級制度) is a legal system of movie screening and rating. An official government agency issues ratings for any movie that will be shown in Hong Kong cinemas.

The rating system for films released in Hong Kong was first introduced in 1988 with three tiers. It was introduced due to the flourishing of the Hong Kong film industry with exploitation films.

According to the laws of Hong Kong, any movies that are intended to be shown in Hong Kong cinemas or released to the public via any videotape or disc formats must be screened by the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration. The Office will then permit the movie to be released under their assessed level rating. Movie trailers intended to be shown inside the cinema hall or in cinema lobbies must also be submitted for classification. Only still films exhibited for non-commercial purposes (cultural, educational, instructional, promotional or religious) are exempt.

If a movie is rated Category III, its promotional materials must also be screened by the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration.

Originally with three ratings (Categories I, II and III), II was superseded by IIA and IIB in 1995.

Official symbol	English text name	Chinese text name	Description
	Suitable for All Ages	適合任何年齡人士觀看	The film is appropriate for viewing by persons of all ages. However, it does not necessarily represent a film aimed at children. Equivalent to G or PG. Examples of Category I films: Herbie: Fully Loaded, Toy Story, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Cinderella (2015), Mulan (1998 version).
	Not Suitable for Children	兒童不宜	This category was given to films released before 1995, in which it was replaced with IIA and IIB. Parental guidance is suggested. Equivalent to PG-13 or R. Examples of Category II films: Rambo III, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, This Boy's Life, Jaws 4: The Revenge.
	Not Suitable for Children	兒童不宜	These films may contain mild to moderate violence, infrequent coarse language, drug references or sexual references. Parental guidance is suggested. Equivalent to PG-13. Examples of Category IIA films: Pokemon Detective Pikachu, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Suicide Squad (2016), Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, The Fast & The Furious, Tenet, Mulan (2020 version), Revolution of Our Times.
	Not Suitable for Young Persons And Children	青少年及兒童不宜	These films may contain non-gratuitous graphic violence or more frightening/intense scenes, cruder or more frequent coarse language, non-explicit sexual activity, nudity, drug use or mature sexual references. Parental guidance is suggested. Equivalent to R. Examples of Category IIB films: The Hunt (2020), South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, xXx (a.k.a. Triple X), Sex Tape, Skyfall, Quantum of Solace, Train to Busan, Happy Death Day, John Wick, Insidious, Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy.
	Persons Aged 18 and Above Only	只准18歲或以上人士觀看	Being the only legally restricted rating, Category III material may only be accessed by persons 18 years and over. This became the most common rating during the 1980s exploitation films peak in Hong Kong. No persons younger than 18 may see a Category III film in a cinema. Cinemas must enforce the restriction if they want to screen Category III films. Additionally, video releases are not to be sold or rented to persons under 18 years of age. Proof of age is required before accessing Category III films. It is the responsibility for the cinemas/retailers to ensure it is the case under law. Category III films may contain extreme violence, pervasive or aggressive coarse language, glamorisation of drug use or graphic and explicit sexual activity. Equivalent to NC-17. Examples of Category III films: Dr. Lamb, The Evil Dead, Mortal Kombat (2021), Blue Is the Warmest Color, The Green Inferno, Fifty Shades of Grey, Spiral, Deadpool (2016), Logan (2017), The Wolf of Wall Street, Love (2015), Gone Girl.

Annual statistics

Films classified by category

	2021
Category I	793
Category IIA	773
Category IIB	567
Category III	126

	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011
Category I	496	993	871	680	714	682	666	681	672	494
Category IIA	472	834	834	770	730	661	585	566	510	501
Category IIB	349	624	620	603	590	552	590	513	507	403
Category III	87	153	174	175	162	170	155	185	189	183

	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001
Category I	464	389	387	426	388	554	469	689	1110	334
Category IIA	493	428	408	402	394	359	361	362	323	282
Category IIB	430	387	376	345	321	275	352	335	369	388
Category III	184	166	125	125	83	99	113	169	142	165

	2000	1999	1998	1997
Category I	196	294	355	336
Category IIA	223	274	257	296
Category IIB	420	435	378	403
Category III	229	405	574	662

Source: Hong Kong Yearbook