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A Christmas Story

Play trailer 1:20 Poster for A Christmas Story PG Released Nov 18, 1983 1h 33m Kids & Family Holiday Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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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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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

Audience Reviews

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Sarah K Loved everything. Disliked people talking during the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/24 Full Review josh best Christmas movie ever! I take my whole family to see it every year. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 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
A Christmas Story

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Cast & Crew

Ernest Saves Christmas 36% 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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