What does xrated movies mean?

Answer 1

When the MPAA rating system was created in the 1960's, X mean't 'For Adults Only'. Mainstream films such as "Midnight Cowboy" (1969) were released under it. That film is the only X-rated film to win an OSCAR. But the adult film industry eventually co-opted the rating. No legitimate theater chain would show a film with that rating. The MPAA eventually created NC-17 to replace X. However, most theater chains also refuse to book an NC-17 film.