Censor certificates

NB. In entries where no certificate is listed, that means the film bypassed BBFC scrutiny and played in selected cinemas under licence from local authorities. The same film might subsequently have been released on UK video, subject to BBFC certification and/or censorship (where necessary).

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1912 - 1951
Except in one instance (see below), the certificates issued during this period offered guidance to the general public but were not compulsory. However, they were strictly enforced by many councils throughout the UK.

U = Universal. Suitable for all.
A = Adult. Persons under 16 should be accompanied by an adult guardian.
H = Horrific. Persons under 16 not admitted. This certificate was first introduced in 1933 as an advisory rating (children allowed if accompanied by an adult). However, it became compulsory in June 1937, at which point all persons under 16 were refused entry to any such film.

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1951 - 1970

U = Universal. Suitable for all.
A = Adult. Persons under 16 should be accompanied by an adult guardian (advisory, not compulsory).
X = Persons under 16 not admitted.

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1970 - 1983

U = Universal. Suitable for all.
A = Advisory. Some material may not be suitable for young children.
AA = Persons under 14 not admitted.
X = Persons under 18 not admitted.

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1983 - Present

U = Universal. Suitable for all.
PG = Parental Guidance. Some material may not be suitable for young children.
12 = Persons under 12 not admitted (1989 - 2002).
12A = Persons under 12 require accompanying adult guardian (2002 - present).
15 = Persons under 15 not admitted.
18 = Persons under 18 not admitted.
R18 = Persons under 18 not admitted. Films with this rating are restricted to cinemas and sex shops specifically licensed to sell or exhibit 'Adult' material. Hardcore pornography was legalised in the year 2000 following a court case which forced the censors' hand. Prior to that, R18 films were only marginally more explicit than their softcore X/18 counterparts.

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Miscellaneous

(Banned) = Where this appears in parentheses after the distributor, it means the film was rejected by the BBFC for cinema exhibition but still released under license by local councils.
(E) = Not an official BBFC certificate, but used on home video releases to indicate the film is exempt from classification.
(Uc) = Universal, particularly suitable for pre-school children. Short-lived certificate, for video only.