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Original poster

How strict are cinemas about age 15 films?

19 replies

Jadedandlost · 28/10/2023 16:09

Do people take younger teens in without issues? Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Jadedandlost · 28/10/2023 16:24

Bump

OP posts:
TheBitterBoy · 28/10/2023 16:26

Our local showcase checks id on groups of teens for 15 films. I don't know what they do if with parents.

Grimbleton · 28/10/2023 16:27

My local cinema has posted on Facebook that they not allow anyone under 15 to the five nights at Freddie’s film and anyone looking like they might be under 15 will have to show ID due to the amount of younger people trying to see this film.

I would expect to be challenged if trying to take in a younger teen - even if you were planning on seeing a different film.

cfmtb · 28/10/2023 16:27

If going by themselves in a group then may get asked, if with a parent then unlikely to be questioned if they could pass for 15 (in my n=1 experience)

LarkspurLane · 28/10/2023 16:27

My local cineworld asks for proof of age if you look under 15. My 16 year was refused when he had no ID - but they did refund his ticket.

TidyDancer · 28/10/2023 16:29

I've seen groups of teens turned away from films they are too young for. Maybe depends on the cinema/size of group/film?

I think you'd more likely get away with it if it was a 14-year-old going in with parents but maybe not if it was a bunch of teenagers together.

Not sure if it should happen though. It puts the cinema in an awkward position I guess.

SlipperyLizard · 28/10/2023 16:33

My DD said her friend (13, looks younger) was going to see 5 Nights at Freddie’s. “They’ll never get in!” I said. 10 minutes later her friend messages to say he didn’t get in 😂

I might risk it with my 14 year old who is 5’10” if she was with me (but probably would just wait for it to be on streaming), but would never let her try with friends, there’s no way they wouldn’t be asked for ID.

FallingAutumnLeaf · 28/10/2023 16:34

Letting an under 15 into a 15 film is as serious as selling alcohol to an underage teen.
They are not allowed to do it, and risk their licience if caught.

Omgreally11 · 28/10/2023 16:34

Children under 15 without ID, regardless of who they're attending with, including parents, wouldn't be allowed into a 15 film (if they are asked to provide ID and didnt have it). Cinemas can lose their license if they knowingly allow underage children into 15+ films.

MargaretThursday · 28/10/2023 16:36

Ds went with friends to see Freddie yesterday (they're 16/17yo) in a group. They were warned to take ID but he says they didn't ask. He's probably the youngest, and one of the younger looking ones of the group, so I think they quite reasonably passed for over 15yo, but I was a bit surprised they didn't check them at all.
He has been checked in the past in a similar group.

MinnieL · 28/10/2023 16:36

If your child under the age of 15 wants to watch FNAF then they won’t be able too. Even with an adult, children who look like they may be 15 or younger will be asked for ID. No ID - no ticket. You’ll get a refund on your ticket if you’ve already purchased one online.

I work in the Film Industry and when a film is rated by the BBFC, cinemas can’t ignore this

DragonFly98 · 28/10/2023 16:37

They follow the law and you are a really irresponsible parent if you encourage/allow your child to try and sneak in. Certificates exist for a very good reason.

Oblomov23 · 28/10/2023 16:48

Vue refused us, when I went with ds1 and ds2. I had no idea of the rule and thought it was just parental approval, but it's not! I thought that as I was there they'd allow ds2 who was 14, at the time. But they said no. So we all left.

hopeishere · 28/10/2023 16:51

DS went to see FNWF last night with friends. They were asked for ID.

Original poster
Jadedandlost · 28/10/2023 19:50

Oblomov23 · 28/10/2023 16:48

Vue refused us, when I went with ds1 and ds2. I had no idea of the rule and thought it was just parental approval, but it's not! I thought that as I was there they'd allow ds2 who was 14, at the time. But they said no. So we all left.

This is the sort of scenario I’ve got! Thanks all for responding. I won’t risk it. Not sure what this Freddie film is that you’re all mentioning but it wasn’t what we were thinking about!

OP posts:
GrammarTeacher · 28/10/2023 19:55

A 15 certificate like an 18 has always meant exactly that. Nothing to do with going with parents. The BBFC have decided it's inappropriate for people younger than that. You'll just have to wait until it's available to stream.

BrimfulOfMash · 28/10/2023 20:00

Our local cinemas id teens.

And the council licensing officers take it seriously and send mystery shoppers etc to check that the law is applied.

MinnieL · 28/10/2023 20:01

Oblomov23 · 28/10/2023 16:48

Vue refused us, when I went with ds1 and ds2. I had no idea of the rule and thought it was just parental approval, but it's not! I thought that as I was there they'd allow ds2 who was 14, at the time. But they said no. So we all left.

A 14 year old would be able to watch a U, PG and 12A (as long as an adult is present.) No one under the age of 15 can watch a 15 rated film and no one under the age of 18 can watch a 18 rated film. These aren’t recommendations but guidelines given by the BBFC. At least DS is 14 so he’ll be able to view a 15 film soon enough

Delatron · 28/10/2023 20:16

Empire aren’t strict and don’t check tickets but I don’t know if that’s because they are shutting lots of cinemas so don’t care anymore.

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