12A

12A is a UK film classification used by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). It indicates that a film is suitable for viewers aged 12 and over, but children under 12 may watch the film if accompanied by an adult. The rating is applied to cinema releases, and it is common for distributors to offer an accompanying adult option for younger audiences during theatrical showings.

The BBFC bases the 12A rating on the overall impact of the film, considering violence, threat, language, sexual content, and other mature elements. A film given a 12A is allowed to include some mild or non-graphic violence, occasional mild language, and non-explicit references to sex or drug use, but it should not rely on graphic gore or explicit material to engage or disturb younger viewers. If a film contains content considered more disturbing or intense for children under 12, the BBFC may still grant a 12A but requires the presence of an accompanying adult for those under 12 at the cinema.

12A differs from the 12 rating in that the latter is for screenings where no adult accompaniment is required; the 12 rating is for both cinema and home media in many cases. It also sits between the broader U and the stricter 15 and 18 classifications, providing a middle ground that aims to be accessible to a wider audience while offering parental oversight for younger children.

The 12A classification is used in the United Kingdom and, in some contexts, in Ireland. US equivalents include films rated PG-13, which also target teen and family audiences with similar considerations about content and age-appropriate viewing.