It's a Wonderful Life

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1:42

It's a Wonderful Life

PG

Released Jan 7, 1946

2h 9m

Holiday

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

98 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

After George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, an angel (Henry Travers) is sent to earth to make George's wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.

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Critics Consensus

The holiday classic to define all holiday classics, It's a Wonderful Life is one of a handful of films worth an annual viewing.

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Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

A movie people will have a good time watching with their families for enduring decades.

Rated: A+

Jan 4, 2019

Full Review

Karen Krizanovich

Little White Lies

There's sex and death here, elation and depression, hope and despair.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 14, 2018

Full Review

Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

While it isn't the best picture to come out of Hollywood this year, nor is it Capra's masterpiece, it tells a good story and its conclusion has a heart-warming effect on the audience.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 19, 2016

Full Review

Simon Gallagher

Screen Rant

Frank Capra's classic is a perfect movie, and almost 80 years on, Jimmy Stewart's masterpiece has lost absolutely none of its magic.

Rated: 10/10

Dec 13, 2024

Full Review

Raquel Stecher

The Movie Palace Podcast

"an enduring classic... timeless"

Dec 18, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

...earned their climactic waterfall of happy tears...

Dec 15, 2023

Full Review

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Jeff

Another amazing classic movie. Thank you Flashback Cinema, Village Cinema. and Cinema West for bringing this back to the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

Full Review

BuZz Green

It is so much better on the Big Screen!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

Full Review

Catherine C

My favorite movie of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Cheryl

Would of been a better experience if the app would of worked to show ticket purchase as had NO confirmation email on it so had to see clerk to swipe my card to prove I had purchased ticket for shoe

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

Full Review

Brenda K

Seeing it on the big screen made it more special. The snow scenes were beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Charandeep

Watching every Christmas for last 43 years and gives heavenly pleasure every time. THE BEST MOVIE ever produced to enhance the joys of Holidays Season

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

Full Review

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Frank Capra

Director

James Stewart

George Bailey

Donna Reed

Mary Hatch Bailey

Lionel Barrymore

Mr. Henry F. Potter

Thomas Mitchell

William Bailey

Henry Travers

Clarence Oddbody

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It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Every Time a Bell Rings an Angel Gets His Wings

2:11

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Lasso the Moon

1:44

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Careful What You Wish For

0:46

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Back To Life, Back To Reality

1:20

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Mary The Old Maid

1:17

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Vanishing Act

1:07

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Angel Second Class

1:44

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - A Great Gift

1:30

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Pool Party

1:11

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It's a Wonderful Life: Trailer 1

1:42

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Synopsis

After George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, an angel (Henry Travers) is sent to earth to make George's wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.

Director: Frank Capra
Producer: Frank Capra
Screenwriter: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Philip Van Doren Stern, Jo Swerling
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: Liberty Films, RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Rating: PG (Some Violence|Smoking|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 1946, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 2018
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.3M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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