A Christmas Story

Play trailer

1:20

A Christmas Story

PG

Released Nov 18, 1983

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Both warmly nostalgic and darkly humorous, A Christmas Story deserves its status as a holiday perennial.

Read Critics Reviews

Ernest Leogrande

New York Daily News

It's all in A Christmas Story, but it's as real as wax fruit.

Rated: 1/4

May 13, 2023

Full Review

Leo Seligsohn

Newsday

The film does its commercial best to dole out the requisite nostalgia without being too sticky. The result is a pleasant, undistinguished Christmas pudding spiced with humor and enriched by some good performances from the kids.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 12, 2023

Full Review

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

It's a nostalgic comedy featuring a family of eccentrics who lovingly celebrate the holidays and life itself in Midwestern America in the 1940s.

Nov 30, 2015

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Bob Clark’s little Christmas movie “A Christmas Story” has vaulted into full Christmas Classic status.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

David Gonzalez

The Cinematic Reel

For old timers like myself, the final scene of Ralphie sleeping with his Christmas prize will always hold true to me and brings back yearly memories of one of the easiest times of anyones life, their childhood.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 14, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An uproarious adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 4, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Sarah K

Loved everything. Disliked people talking during the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

josh

this is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. I take my family to see it every year. it really embodies a much simpler and more innocent time. great for the whole family!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

DetroitPete

Much nicer on big screen, still great to watch. Just a good feel good movie, mothing tops the pink bunny.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/06/23

Full Review

Jolene

Loved it! It was a very cute movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/11/22

Full Review

Terrence

funny parts in school and at home. The actors are very real and genuinely portray life in a middle-class family in the 1980s. Santa scene was humorous

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/22

Full Review

Dan

Such a fun movie that stands the test of time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Bob Clark

Director

Peter Billingsley

Ralph 'Ralphie' Parker

Darren McGavin

Mr. Parker

Melinda Dillon

Mrs. Parker

Ian Petrella

Randy Parker

Scotty Schwartz

Flick

Ernest Saves Christmas

40%

43%

Ernest Saves Christmas

Watchlist

Home Alone

66%

80%

Home Alone

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Home Alone

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

35%

62%

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Jingle All the Way

20%

41%

Jingle All the Way

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Jingle All the Way

The Santa Clause

73%

66%

The Santa Clause

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Santa Clause

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Paul Feig’s Five Favorite Christmas Movies

Bridget Jones’s Baby, Dear White People Season 1, and More on Certified Fresh Choices on Netflix and Amazon Prime This Week

JB Smoove’s Five Favorite Films

A Christmas Story: Trailer 1

1:20

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

Director: Bob Clark
Producer: Bob Clark, René Dupont
Screenwriter: Leigh Brown, Bob Clark, Jean Shepherd, Jean Shepherd
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Christmas Tree Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1983, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.7M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now