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NC-17

American  
[en-see-sev-uhn-teen] / ˈɛnˈsiˌsɛv ənˈtin /

abbreviation

  1. Trademark. no children 17 and under: a rating assigned to a movie by the MPA advising that persons under the age of 18 will not be admitted to a theater showing the film.


Etymology

Origin of NC-17

An American designation established as a replacement for the rating designation X 3 ( def. 8 ) in 1990


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But the movie was mired in controversy, from its NC-17 rating to the hostile reviews and cratering at the box office.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2025

The arthouse distributor MUBI, which acquired “Passages” after its acclaimed premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, rejected the NC-17 label and is instead releasing “Passages” as “unrated.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2023

Last year’s Marilyn Monroe biopic “Blonde” became the first Netflix original film to earn an NC-17, and was only the second NC-17 film to be released at all since 2015.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2023

But Ethan Noble, a consultant who helps filmmakers achieve the rating they want, said the M.P.A. had been considering a rating between R and NC-17.

From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2023

The ratings — G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17 — have remained unchanged since 1990.

From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2023

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