Marvel fans worldwide can rejoice knowing that all of their favorite superhero projects are now in one place, as Disney+ recently added 6 Marvel series previously housed on Netflix, in addition to Agents of SHIELD. This means that the streaming service will not only be home to premier Marvel Studios original content like Moon Knight and Ms. Marvel but also The Defenders and its spin-offs, allowing them to be rewatched by fans and experienced by new viewers.
The move was met with praise from fans and series' stars alike, while also potentially signaling what the future of Disney+ could look like in regards to its range of content. Not all were pleased with Disney's decision though, as a parents group voiced its concern over the series' addition to the streamer.
Now, the Marvel shows will be deemed appropriate for even more viewers, as Disney+ has changed how they are rated.
Disney+ Lowers Netflix Shows' Ratings
In the United Kingdom, Disney+ officially changed the age ratings for Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher to a "16+."
On Netflix, the shows were originally rated "18" in accordance with the British Board of Film Classification, which rates films and all manner of video works (including television series) in the UK.
The decision to use a new "16+" rating for the shows is odd, considering the equivalent in the UK would actually be a "15" rating. Other territories that now have access to the Marvel shows use their regional equivalent, but the UK has not opted to use the BBFC's standard of age rating.
Instead, an entirely new age rating system has been implemented, which can be found under the streaming service's parental controls:
Similarly, films like Logan and Deadpool both have "16+" ratings, even though their BBFC rating is "15."
Why is The Punisher's Age Rating Lower?
The decision to lower the Netflix show's rating does strike as odd, especially in tandem with Disney+'s new UK rating system. It's possible that Disney wants to avoid any project under the Marvel banner, Marvel Studios-produced or otherwise, from being associated with the stigma of an "18+" rating.
However, looking at the other content on Disney+ may reveal just why the system has been created and why the Netflix series have been adjusted.
Other "18+" projects on the streaming service like Pam and Tommy and The Last Duel have overt sex scenes, compared to a project like The French Dispatch which features nudity but no on-screen sex. As the Netflix series only features extreme violence and sex scenes without explicit nudity, it's possible that they were adjusted accordingly to the "16+" rating instead.
It is still strange that Disney+ chose to make its own rating system, as the same effect could have been achieved with the BBFC's classifications. Perhaps Disney+ will look to expand this age rating system overseas to better curate its lineup of content.
Nevertheless, this technically means that more audiences are deemed able to watch the Punisher kick-ass and Daredevil say some rude words – even though they probably would have done so anyway.
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher are streaming now on Disney+.
