When it comes to horror films, nobody scares an audience quite like Rob Zombie. The horror aficionado has now completed work on his next horror film, "31," and on two different submissions to the MPAA, he has received a rating of NC-17.

According to Zombie's Facebook page, the director, songwriter and graphic artist announced that he submitted the film twice to the film ratings organization, and each time, the panel has given him the same result: NC-17, which basically means no children under 17 can be admitted to see the movie.

In the past, at least before 1990, this audience was specified by the rating "X," but that rating was replaced with the NC-17. Most people associate the X or NC-17 ratings with porn, but Zombie's film was given the rating for different reasons.

On Zombie's Facebook page, an infographic indicates that the rating was "for sadistic graphic violence, bizarre sexuality/nudity, pervasive disturbing images and some strong language."

Well, after two tries through the MPAA our rating on 31 remains NC-17. Maybe three is the charm to get an R rating. Why...

Posted by Rob Zombie on Wednesday, December 23, 2015

This could have serious repercussions for Zombie's film, which is scheduled to open at the Sundance Film Festival next month, according to Bloody Disgusting. The rating means that most, if not all, theaters will not show it. Most will show a film that is rated R, which requires adult supervision to admit children under the age of 18, but will not show an NC-17.

The basic takeaway from this is that the film will not have many opportunities to make any money, if it should be stuck with the rating. If there is nowhere to show the movie, the film's investors will essentially lose their cut, including Zombie himself. Fans have to remember that, even though his movies are a guilty pleasure, they are still a business and require funding.

Zombie has said that he will attempt a third submission to the MPAA, presumably after some heavy editing, to get the much more desirable R rating.