Quick Navigation
With the integration of Hulu and Star content, Disney+ is no longer just for kids. If you've recently stumbled across Deadpool, The Bear, or Shogun on the homepage, you've likely noticed the TV-MA label and wondered if your parental controls are actually working.
As parents, we need to know exactly what these acronyms mean before we hand over the remote.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about TV MA meaning, as well as give you the best TV MA Disney Plus movie list.
TV-MA Meaning on Disney Plus: Age Limits & Content Examples
What is the TV-MA Meaning?
TV-MA stands for "Mature Audiences." It signifies that the program is designed specifically for adults and not be suitable for ages 17 and under. This rating is the TV equivalent of an "R" movie rating and often contains graphic violence, explicit sexual activity, or crude language.
When we ask what is TV-MA on Disney Plus, we are usually asking: How did this get here?
Historically, Disney kept its platform cleaner than a whistle. However, to compete with Netflix and Max, Disney integrated content from its adult-oriented verticals like Hulu and Star. This means TV-MA on Disney Plus is now the standard rating for their grittier dramas and Marvel's "Defenders" saga.
What Does TV MA Mean on Disney Plus?
Disney needed to grow. Shows like Echo, Shogun, and the FX library (The Bear, American Horror Story) push the boundaries of the traditional Disney brand. These aren't cartoons; they are prestige dramas intended for adults.
- TV-MA Age Rating: Strictly 17+.
- Common Examples: Deadpool (movies), Daredevil, The Punisher, Family Guy (certain seasons).
If you are seeing these titles on a child's profile, your settings are likely defaulted to a higher age limit than you intended.
What Does TV MA Mean on Netflix?
TV MA on Netflix means content for Mature Audiences, which is intended only for adults.
Such Netflix movies, TV shows, documentaries, and so on, may not be suitable for those under the age of 17.
Netflix has loads of TV MA movies and shows, as well as TV MA Anime, that are not suitable for younger audiences to watch. Some of these TV MA Anime include B: The Beginning, Back Street Girls -GOKUDOLS-, Baki Hanma, 7SEEDS, BEASTARS, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King, and various others.
What TV-MA-L, S, and V Mean
You will often see letters trailing the rating, like TV-MA-L or TV-MA-V. These aren't random. Specific content descriptors that tell you why the show received that rating.
- L (Language): Contains crude or indecent language. If you dislike profanity, avoid this.
- V (Violence): Graphic violence. Think The Punisher or Game of Thrones.
- S (Sexual Situations): Explicit sexual activity.
- D (Suggestive Dialogue): Innuendo or mature themes in conversation.
Knowing these helps you filter specific triggers. A show rated TV-MA-L might be fine if you don't mind swearing but hate violence, whereas TV-MA-V is a hard pass for a squeamish viewer.
Is TV MA Worse than R?
TV MA content is actually the same as an R-rated movie or TV show. However, it is also important to note that R Rated and TV MA are two different groups.
But, is TV MA worse than R? Well, in some cases. This is because TV-MA has a much more severe rating than R does.
TV-MA vs. R-Rated vs. TV-14: The Differences
One of the most frequent questions I get is: is TV-MA worse than R? Or, is it the same?
While they are functionally similar—both targeting adults—the nuance lies in who assigns them. The MPA (Motion Picture Association) rates movies (R), while the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board rates television series (TV-MA).
Here is the breakdown of TV-MA vs R to help you decide what is safe for your living room:
| Feature | TV-14 | TV-MA | R-Rated (Movies) |
| Target Audience | Parents strongly cautioned. Ages 14+. | Mature Audiences Only. Ages 17+. | Restricted. Under 17 requires adult guardian. |
| Violence | Intense violence permitted, but usually not graphic gore. | Graphic violence (blood, gore, realistic injury) is common. | Strong, realistic violence and gore. |
| Language | Strong coarse language allowed. | Crude, indecent language. F-bombs are permitted. | Strong language throughout. |
| Sexual Content | Intense sexual dialogue or situations. | Explicit sexual activity. Nudity is possible (depending on network). | Nudity, sexual content, and drug use. |
| Verdict | Comparable to PG-13. | Comparable to R. | The standard for adult films. |
If you are asking is TV-MA the same as R, the answer is essentially yes. Treat them with the same level of caution.
How to Change TV-MA Settings on Disney Plus (App & Browser)？
If you are stuck on TV-14 or cannot find the adult shows you actually want to watch, you need to adjust the Profile settings. Disney+ treats every profile individually.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open Disney+ and navigate to "Edit Profiles".
- Select the profile you want to edit.
- Scroll down to "Content Rating".
- Enter your account password (a necessary security step).
To Unlock TV-MA, select TV-MA from the list. This grants access to the full library. To Restrict, select TV-14, PG, or lower to block adult content automatically.
10 Best TV MA Disney Plus List That You Should Know
Here are my top 10 picks for TV-MA shows on Disney Plus right now.
| Show Name | Genre 🖋️ | Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 | My Verdict 🧐 |
| The Bear | Dramedy / Culinary | 99% |
|
| Shogun | Historical Drama | 99% |
|
| Daredevil | Superhero / Crime | 92% |
|
| The Punisher | Action / Thriller | 64% |
|
| What We Do in the Shadows | Mockumentary | 96% |
|
| Atlanta | Surreal Comedy | 98% |
|
| Deadpool (1 & 2) | Action / Comedy | 85% |
|
| Echo | Superhero | 71% |
|
| Family Guy | Animation | 62% |
|
| American Horror Story | Horror Anthology | 77% | It varies by season, but when it’s good (Murder House, Coven), it’s terrifyingly addictive. |
Managing Mature Content: Offline Review & Parental Control
While Disney's native parental controls are robust, they aren't foolproof. Sometimes a show rated TV-14 borders on TV-MA, or you simply want to vet a series like The Simpsons or Family Guy before letting your teen watch it.
My preferred method for total control is "pre-screening."
Offline Review with KeepStreams
For parents who want to audit content without buffering or using data, or for users who want to backup their favorite mature series before they leave the platform, KeepStreams for Disney Plus is a practical tool.
With KeepStreams for Disney+, you can download any movie, TV show, or documentary from Disney Plus and watch it without an internet connection. It allows you to download TV-MA movies and shows up to UHD 4K/1080p to your hard drive. This serves two purposes:
- Safety Check: You can watch the first few episodes offline on your laptop to determine if it meets your household standards.
- Permanent Access: Streaming licensing deals change. Shows leave. Downloading ensures you keep your library.
Steve
KeepStreams is a tool for personal backup and offline viewing. It supplements, rather than replaces, the on-platform parental controls.
How to Use KeepStreams for Disney+?
- Install KeepStreams for Disney Plus. Launch the software and choose Disney Plus icon from "VIP Services".
- Log in to your account. Select any movie or episode(s) you wish to download.
- Click on the "Download Now" button.
The video downloaded from Disney Plus will be saved on your laptop.
🔒 A Note om Safety & Legality:
In most jurisdictions, downloading copyright-protected content for personal, offline use is a gray area but generally tolerated. KeepStreams is free from malware and viruses, and it does not require you to share your account credentials with third parties.
My Advice: Use it responsibly. Keep your downloads for your own road trips or content auditing, and support the creators by maintaining your subscription. Do not share, sell, or distribute the files.
FAQs
Q1. Is TV-MA worse than R rated?
A1. Generally, no. TV-MA and R-Rated are equivalent. Both indicate content suitable only for adults (17+). However, because TV-MA is applied by the TV industry (self-regulation) and R is applied by the MPA (independent board), you might find slight inconsistencies. A TV-MA show on HBO or Disney+ (Star) can be just as explicit as an R-rated film.
Q2. Can a 15-year-old watch TV-MA?
A2. Technically, the rating advises against it (17+). However, this is a parenting decision. Many 15-year-olds watch TV-MA content like Stranger Things (which teeters on the edge) or Marvel series. I recommend checking the specific descriptors (L, S, V) to decide. If it's TV-MA-S (Sexual content), parents are usually stricter than with TV-MA-L (Language).
Q3. How do I enable TV-MA on Disney Plus?
A3. You must go to Edit Profiles > Select Profile > Content Rating and switch it to TV-MA. You will need your password to confirm this change. If you don't see the option, ensure you aren't in Junior Mode.
Q4. What does TV-MA mean on Netflix?
A4. It means the exact same thing as on Disney+. The TV Parental Guidelines are universal across US television and streaming platforms. Whether it's Bridgerton on Netflix or Echo on Disney+, TV-MA signals adult content.
Q5. Why is my Disney Plus stuck on TV-14?
A5. You likely didn't set a PIN on your main profile, or you are trying to access settings from a "Junior Mode" profile, which cannot edit other profiles.
Q6. Can a kid change it back?
A6. Not if you set a Profile PIN under the same menu. Do that immediately.
The Bottom Line
So, what is TV-MA on Disney Plus? It is simply the platform growing up. It's an acknowledgement that the people who grew up on The Lion King are now adults who want to watch The Bear or Deadpool after the kids go to sleep.
Understanding the difference between TV-14 and TV-MA, and knowing how to distinguish between TV-MA-L (Language) and TV-MA-V (Violence), gives you the power to curate your living room.
Disney+ is no longer just a "safe space" by default—it's a comprehensive streaming library. Use the parental controls, set those PINs, and if you need to double-check content before airing it to the family, tools like KeepStreams are there to help you act as the gatekeeper.
Happy streaming (and watch out for those age ratings)!
More Guide on Disney Plus
DISCLAIMER
Content available on Disney Plus™ is protected by copyright. Unauthorized redistribution of this content may violate copyright laws in the United States and other countries. KeepStreams is an independent company that is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Disney Plus™ or its parent company. The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement of KeepStreams products by any third party.
Like this article
Explore more content