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Miracle on 34th Street

Play trailer 2:01 Poster for Miracle on 34th Street 1947 1h 36m Holiday Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 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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Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street

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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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Critics Reviews

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Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 12/21/2022
4/4
Miracle on 34th Street is the gift that keeps on giving. Go to Full Review
Kate Cameron New York Daily News 05/11/2015
4/4
It is light, it is charming, it is delightfully funny and completely captivating. It is all that, and something more. Go to Full Review
Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune 12/04/2013
3.5/4
A Christmas season evergreen. Go to Full Review
Tim Dirks Filmsite 10/12/2022
A+
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 Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 09/22/2022
8/10
A sentimental, heartwarming piece, designed to be a fluffy bit of yuletide entertainment. Go to Full Review
Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn 08/28/2022
A
For those looking for a strong and wholesome holiday special, it is hard to find much better than Miracle on 34th Street. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Michael C Dec 10 The original (and best) version of "Miracle on 34th Street" has definitely stood the test of time. A classic in every sense of the word and one of the greatest Christmas movies ever made. Everything works in this movie. The cast, the storyline and everything in between. Though it is pretty obvious where the story is going, the journey to that end is just terrific with excellent dialogue and some clever scenes along the way. It is also a treat to see a number of amusing cameos such as the late Jack Albertson as a postal worker and a pre "I Love Lucy" William Frawley as a political advisor to the Judge overseeing the court case that will determine if Kris Kringle is in fact Santa Claus. This review would not be complete without mentioning the late Edmund Gwenn in an excellent performance as Santa Claus that rightfully won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Absolute perfect casting. If you have not seen this movie I highly recommend you do. Merry Christmas! See more Kasey B. @AtTheMovies7795 Dec 9 This is one of the GREATEST Christmas movies of all-time....bar-none, discussion over. If this movie doesn't find a way to "touch your heart" in someway then you have no soul. Whether it's through it's message about BELIEVING or the way it does it's best to destroy commercialization. It's movies like this that make he still think there is HOPE for Humanity See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Dec 6 Miracle on 34th Street (1947) is a timeless holiday classic that captures the magic and spirit of Christmas. While its black-and-white presentation and mid-century pacing make it feel dated, the story remains charming and engaging. The film centers on a little girl, Susan, and her belief in Santa Claus, with Edmund Gwenn’s Kris Kringle bringing warmth, charm, and authenticity to the role. The screenplay is simple yet effective, balancing humor and heart while allowing the story to unfold naturally. Direction is strong, particularly in sequences like the courtroom scene, maintaining tension and emotional engagement. The supporting cast, including Maureen O’Hara and John Payne, provide solid performances, grounding the story in realism. The film’s message of belief, kindness, and generosity resonates across generations. While not flashy by modern standards, it’s a foundational holiday film that influenced countless adaptations, making it essential viewing for anyone seeking classic See more OG Kamo G Nov 29 My absolute favorite Christmas movie of all times. The movie is even better in black and white. Simple heart warming well written masterpiece, before Christmas became a commercial lizard extension of GDP. See more Lynn O. @widow25 Nov 29 We just watched it again for the 17th time. We start our Christmas season on Thanksgiving with this film. See more Darrell S Nov 27 The greatest holiday film about Santa Claus ever! See more Read all reviews
Miracle on 34th Street

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Movie Info

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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