The Russian Age Rating System (RARS; in Russian: Возрастная классификация информационной продукции/Vozrastnaya klassifikatsiya informatsionnoy produktsii) is used for almost all types of media (films, TV, video games, music, etc.) released in the Russian Federation. It came into effect on September 1, 2012.
Age ratings[ | ]
- 0+: Media suitable for people of all ages. Equivalent to G for movies, TV-Y and TV-G for television, and E for video games.
- 6+: Media suitable for people aged 6 and older. May contain mild violence, threat, or mild sexual behaviour such as kissing. Equivalent to PG for movies, TV-Y7(-FV) and TV-PG for television, and E10+ for video games.
- 12+: Media suitable for people aged 12 and older. There may be moderate levels of violence with details or bad language. Equivalent to PG-13 for movies, soft TV-14 for television, and T for video games.
- 16+: Media suitable for people aged 16 and older. May contain strong depictions of violence, sexuality, or substance use. Equivalent to R for movies, hard TV-14 and TV-MA for television, and M for video games.
- 18+: Media suitable only for people aged 18 and older. It generally contains media with homosexual content or very strong levels of violence/gore, sexuality, and drugs. Equivalent to NC-17 for movies, beyond TV-MA for television, and AO for video games.
It is illegal to show or supply 18+ rated publications to children, especially if it contains homosexual content. If a TV programme is rated 18+, it may be broadcast only from 23:00 Moscow time.
Labels[ | ]
Labels to indicate the age rating are required for all media released in the Russian Federation.
2016 variant[ | ]
Standard variant[ | ]
- RARS 0+.svg
- RARS 6+.svg
- RARS 12+.svg
- RARS 16+.svg
- RARS 18+.svg
Color-coded variant[ | ]
0+ rating uses black text on white background, while 18+ uses white text on black background. 6+, 12+, and 16+ correspond to traffic lights.
- RARS 0+c.svg
- RARS 6+c.svg
- RARS 12+c.svg
- RARS 16+c.svg
- RARS 18+c.svg
Rated 18+ due to homosexual content[ | ]
Russian federal law prohibits the dissemination of homosexual propaganda directed towards minors.
While not rated 18+, Beauty and the Beast (2017) still received a 16+ rating for featuring an actor (Josh Gad) playing as a gay character (LeFou) after it was approved for release in Russian cinemas instead of being banned outright based on a petition by a Russian MP.[1]
This policy is not applied consistently. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness contains a gay character in the comics, but no homosexual behaviour was present in the film, and it was given a 12+ age rating. Additionally, Lightyear is rated 6+ in Russia despite containing a scene where two female characters kiss. However, these ratings were preliminary, as neither film was actually exhibited in Russia since Disney temporarily ceased all trade in the country in opposition to the regime's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Below is a list of publications which are rated 18+ due to homosexual content. This list is not exhaustive.
Film[ | ]
- Battle of the Sexes (lesbian-related)
- Power Rangers (contains LGBT character)[2]
- Bohemian Rhapsody (a couple of scenes with two male characters kissing)
- Rocketman (released with cuts)[3]
- Eternals (intimacy scene between two male characters)
- Operation Mincemeat
Video games[ | ]
- The Sims 4[4]
- Miitopia (implied same-sex relationships is an option for players)
- Stardew Valley
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Just Dance 2022
Use in other countries[ | ]
Countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States may also opt to use the Russian Age Rating System.