‘Mary Poppins’ tops BBFC’s 2024 complaints list, amid a record-breaking year for film classifications

Mary Poppins was the most complained about cinema release of 2024, according to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) annual report.

BBFC classified more cinema features than ever before in 2024, which it said was driven largely by an increase in the number of South Asian films submitted. The board classified a total of 1,256 cinema features across 2024, a 13% increase on the 1,114 films submitted in 2023. 



Of the 224 complaints made concerning BBFC classifications, 56 related to the reclassification of Robert Stevenson’s classic Mary Poppins following its resubmission in February 2024 for distribution by Park Circus. The film, while originally a U when released in 1965 by Disney’s Buena Vista International and upheld for subsequent re-releases, was changed in 2024 to a PG for discriminatory language, owing to the use of the term “hottentots”.

In defence of its decision, the BBFC said: “While the film has a historical context, the two uses of the discriminatory term ‘hottentots’ are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.” 

• Scroll down for top six classification complaints

The BBFC also received 17 complaints relating to ongoing issues with James Cameron’s sci-fi The Abyss. The complaints were based on internet rumours that the proposed 4K cinema release of the film by Disney had been cancelled as a result of BBFC advice given to Disney concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid, which is seen to contravene the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, as the scene constituted the cruel infliction of terror on an animal.



The scene was re-edited for the film’s 1989 release, and in all version of the film classified by the BBFC. In 2023, when the film was re-submitted, the BBFC upheld that the advice received in 1989 had not changed. The Abyss also ranked number three on the list in 2023.

“Regarding the complaints surrounding its release, the BBFC is not involved in releasing films and therefore does not hold information on release plans: this is a matter for the film’s distributor,” stated the annual report.

Thirteen complaints were made regarding violence in Warner Bros’ Dune: Part Two at 12A classification being too strong for that rating, with the use of knives flagged. The BBFC defended its classification of Denis Villeneuve’s epic, stating: “The use of knives in Dune: Part Two takes place in a science-fiction context as opposed to a realistic contemporary setting. It includes fantastical weaponry and armour rather than recognisable real-world weaponry that children may have access to.”

Ten complaints related to Warner Bros release of Amazon MGM’s Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell and classified at 15, for strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language. Those who complained felt the film’s depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for a 15 film. “Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification,” explained the BBFC.

The 224 complaints made in 2024 represent an increase on 2023, in which the BBFC received 148 complaints.

Of complaints made to the board not relating to BBFC classification, Indian Hindi-language biographical drama Emergency, based on the story of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhim, received the most, with 115 ahead of the film being classified. 

The complaints objected to the Kangana Ranaut-directed film in principle, raising concerns it was both inaccurate and offensive to the Sikh community. ”Our guidelines do not require that films purporting to depict real-life events be factually accurate. Filmmakers are free to explore real world issues and controversial themes and subjects,” said the BBFC.

The film was classified as 15 and subsequently released by Zee Studios International in January 2025, with reports on social media of protests against the film’s release taking place at screenings. 

The report also reflected on developments the BBFC made across 2024, with new deals with Amazon’s Prime Video and Netflix signed. This follows research conducted by the BBFC that showed 81% of people wanted streaming titles to be classified according to the same standards used for cinema and physical media releases. 
A 12-month pilot is nearing its end with Prime Video being approved to generate BBFC age ratings in-house. The BBFC will regularly audit Prime Video classification decisions “to ensure the self-rating process delivers very high levels of accuracy”.

A similar agreement has been in place with Netflix since 2019, allowing Netflix to generate age ratings and content advice in line with BBFC standards. A contract extension was established in 2024, which means that the BBFC’s age rating symbols will remain in place across 100% of Netflix content in the UK for years to come, with BBFC auditing titles monthly.

In May 2024, revised guidelines came into play in response to feedback from 12,000 people, with more cautious approach to sex scenes at the 12/15 border and classification of violence across the categories, plus greater flexibility in classifying certain depictions of drug misuse, including cannabis.

AI innovations

The BBFC revealed it has been working closely with global classification bodies to develop a new AI-powered compliance tool, Cleard, which is capable of producing multiple localised age ratings from one classification viewing.

Cleard uses human-generated compliance metadata alongside AI technology to produce age ratings that reflect local standards in multiple countries. When it comes to market, the tool aims to remove the cost and resource barriers limiting streaming services’ adoption of BBFC ratings and other established rating systems, both in the UK and internationally.

The second tool the BBFC is developing will use generative AI to identify and produce metadata relating to content issues, hoping to streamline the classification process for large volumes of content.

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