What event led to the creation of the MPAA film rating system?

The establishment of the MPAA film rating system can be traced back to the decline of the Production Code in the late 1960s. The Production Code, which had set strict guidelines on film content since the 1930s, began to lose its authority and relevance as societal values and norms evolved. Filmmakers started to push boundaries, leading to more explicit content in films that often did not align with the previously accepted standards set by the Code.

In response to this changing landscape, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) sought to create a more flexible and nuanced way to inform audiences about film content. This led to the introduction of the rating system in 1968, allowing films to be categorized by age-appropriateness rather than being constrained by a rigid set of moral guidelines. The rating system offered a spectrum of options (such as G, PG, R, and later PG-13) that aimed to provide parents and viewers with more informed choices regarding the films they wish to see, reflecting the more diverse and often controversial nature of the content being produced during that era.