Hustle was rated R for “sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use.”

In June 2021, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced that Hustle had been rated R for “sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use.” The rating came as a surprise to many viewers who had expected a PG-13 rating. The film’s director, Simon Pegg (who also stars in the film), responded to the rating by saying that he was “disappointed” in the MPAA. He also said that he felt it was unfair to give his film an R rating when other films featuring similar themes were rated PG-13.

The MPAA rates films based on their content using a five-tier system. G is the lowest possible rating and is given to all family films. PG is next up and is generally given to children’s movies or movies with mild violence or sexual references. This rating may be given if there are any mature themes such as drug use or brief nudity. The third tier includes PG-13 movies which are generally family friendly but have more mature themes than those in PG movies.

The fourth tier includes R-rated movies which have frequent violence or intense sexual situations that may be too much for younger viewers.