Miracle on 34th Street

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Miracle on 34th Street

Released May 2, 1947

1h 36m

Holiday

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

87%

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25,000+ Ratings

In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain's main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.

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Critics Consensus

Irrefutable proof that gentle sentimentalism can be the chief ingredient in a wonderful film, Miracle on 34th Street delivers a warm holiday message without resorting to treacle.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Miracle on 34th Street is the gift that keeps on giving.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 21, 2022

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Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

It is light, it is charming, it is delightfully funny and completely captivating. It is all that, and something more.

Rated: 4/4

May 11, 2015

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

A Christmas season evergreen.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 4, 2013

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Tim Dirks

Filmsite

Director George Seaton's popular and perennial Thanksgiving and Christmas classic holiday film was a dramatic comedy-fantasy about the commercialization of Santa Claus (Kris Kringle) and Christmas itself. The sentimental and appealing

Rated: A+

Oct 12, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

A sentimental, heartwarming piece, designed to be a fluffy bit of yuletide entertainment.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 22, 2022

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Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

For those looking for a strong and wholesome holiday special, it is hard to find much better than Miracle on 34th Street.

Rated: A

Aug 28, 2022

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Cade H.

A magnificent classic that takes you on a timeless Christmas journey every holiday season Miracle on 34th street has been one of the de facto Christmas movies included in everyone’s holiday rotation. This movie has served as a benchmark for American film standards for almost 80 years, and will continue to do so until media ceases to exist altogether.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Kevin P

A very grounded approach to Santa Claus that still has warmth and a damn good dignified performance from the lead Santa.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

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David F

Justly a classic, this movie is about a man claiming to be Santa Claus (he is, the Post Office delivers Santa’s mail to him, therefore, he is Santa Claus) who enriches the lives of a young girl, her mom who plans the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and a host of other folks in 1940 New York City.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/26/24

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ed m

Classic. Only watch this one. Don't watch the remakes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

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Kim P

As Dolly, then Whitney said: "I will always love you!" Wonderfully done!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

Full Review

Mark J

Nothing to fault with this film. Simple and nice story for Christmas. Possibly one of the best Santas in all of film history.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

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George Seaton

Director

Maureen O'Hara

Doris Walker

John Payne

Fred Gailey

Edmund Gwenn

Kris Kringle

Gene Lockhart

Judge Henry X. Harper

Natalie Wood

Susan Walker

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Miracle on 34th Street: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain's main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.

Director: George Seaton
Producer: William Perlberg
Screenwriter: George Seaton
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Holiday, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 1947, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 36m

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