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A Christmas Story

Play trailer 1:20 Poster for A Christmas Story PG 1983 1h 33m Kids & Family Holiday Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 62 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.
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A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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David Elliott USA Today 22h
A Christmas Story is numbly predictable. Go to Full Review
Ernest Leogrande New York Daily News 05/13/2023
1/4
It's all in A Christmas Story, but it's as real as wax fruit. Go to Full Review
Leo Seligsohn Newsday 05/12/2023
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/19/2022
5/5
Bob Clark’s little Christmas movie “A Christmas Story” has vaulted into full Christmas Classic status. Go to Full Review
David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel 02/14/2022
4/4
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. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 12/04/2021
3.5/4
An uproarious adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Edith P 3d Had not seen it from beginning to end in a long time. Still very funny. See more Tanya A 4d It is a time piece with a sweet ending and has some Funny and poignant moments but isnt a fave for me See more Carl 4d Nothing really like seeing a really good christmas classic in the movie theater See more Joshua Dec 6 80s classic! One of the best Christmas movies and one I watch every year several times See more chad Dec 4 Awesome movie, timeless classic! See more Michael Dec 3 Great movie that's tied to some great memories. See more Read all reviews
A Christmas Story

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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

Movie Info

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)
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