A Christmas Story

PG

Released Nov 18, 1983

1 hr. 33 min.

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

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List

89%

61 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Critics Consensus

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

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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

Maryjane

Loved the way the family stayed together and the mother was happy with her role, and oh, so funny

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/03/22

Full Review

Kandice

I love this classic movie! It was awesome to see it in theaters, the sound was way better than on T.V and the audience whom also loves the movie made it better, all we laughing at the same scenes!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/21

Full Review

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Bob Clark

Director

Peter Billingsley

Ralph 'Ralphie' Parker

W. Lyle Richardson

Mr. Parker

Melinda Dillon

Mrs. Parker

Ian Petrella

Randy Parker

Scotty Schwartz

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A Christmas Story: Trailer 1

1:20

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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

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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
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
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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