Miracle on 34th Street

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Miracle on 34th Street

PG

Released Nov 18, 1994

1h 54m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

60%

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35 Reviews

62%

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50,000+ Ratings

Six-year-old Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) is skeptical of the Christmas myth surrounding Santa Claus, a trait she perhaps learned from her mother, Dorey (Elizabeth Perkins). When tasked with hiring the Santa who will pose with kids at Macy's, Dorey enlists a man with the curious name of Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) who claims to be Santa himself. His assertions are met with scoffs and threats of institutionalization, but a young lawyer, along with Susan and Dorey, comes to his defense.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

When [it] remembers that it's supposed to be a sweet piece of hokum, when it has the wit to leave Attenborough and Wilson on the screen together and forget about its rash of putative improvements, it does offer well-scrubbed family fare.

Oct 24, 2018

Full Review

Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Richard Attenborough positively sparkles in the role of the mysterious Kriss Kringle, giving a restrained and genuinely sweet performance.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 23, 2018

Full Review

Geoff Brown

Times (UK)

The sanitised setting may generate a Yuletide glow, but it gives a hollow, even cynical ring to the film's championship of faith, hope and charity, sweetness and light.

Dec 31, 2017

Full Review

Brett White

Decider

The well-rounded characters, scene-stealing performances, lovely lighting, and lush costumes combine to place the 1994 Miracle on 34th Street in the top tier of must-watch Christmas movies.

Dec 10, 2019

Full Review

Tom Hutchinson

Radio Times

Although the film as a whole is a much more glamorous affair, and Wilson and Elizabeth Perkins as her mother are undoubtedly charming, it does lack some of the magic of the original.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 23, 2018

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Screen It! staff

Screen It!

While some will scoff at the idea of a remake of the original film, this is a fairly enjoyable version of the story.

Rated: 6.5/10

Oct 23, 2018

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Mark J

Just not as good as the original. Lacks the same sort of feeling but still enjoyable. Richard Attenborough as Kris makes this go up a level as he plays it perfectly, probably a more logical argument to help him win the case in my view of this one.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

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David K

This version of the Christmas classic changes the basic focus of the film from a little girl with her doubts of Santa to a woman afraid to commit to a new relationship. And, lots of not-so-subtle religious references. In this version, belief in Santa is a stand in for belief in a deity. And, the young lady playing the character made famous by Natalie Wood in the original is cloyingly sweet and knowing. Too much.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

Cfunk D

I don't care about the original at all. This movie just stinks. It's delusional and not believable in one sense. They turn New York into a bunch of morons. The lawyer literally tried to bribe the judge in one scene. A fight between to department stores that only care about profit. Just a really dumb story.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Thomas J

A great family movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Tim M

It certainly has its Christmas spirit in the right place, but the Miracle on 34th Street remake wants desperately for the original's old-timey charm and wit.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/03/24

Full Review

Matthew D

Mara Wilson is adorable as the tiny daughter who wants to believe in Santa. Sir Richard Attenborough is so heartwarming and kind as the real Santa Claus. Dylan McDermott is handsome and likable. Elizabeth Perkins is so pretty and the warm lighting literally lets her glow in every scene. A cute Christmas classic that's as sweet as the original.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

Full Review

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Les Mayfield

Director

Richard Attenborough

Kris Kringle

Elizabeth Perkins

Dorey Walker

Dylan McDermott

Bryan Bedford

Mara Wilson

Susan Walker

Robert Prosky

Judge Henry Harper

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Miracle on 34th Street: Trailer 1

3:08

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Synopsis

Six-year-old Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) is skeptical of the Christmas myth surrounding Santa Claus, a trait she perhaps learned from her mother, Dorey (Elizabeth Perkins). When tasked with hiring the Santa who will pose with kids at Macy's, Dorey enlists a man with the curious name of Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) who claims to be Santa himself. His assertions are met with scoffs and threats of institutionalization, but a young lawyer, along with Susan and Dorey, comes to his defense.

Director: Les Mayfield
Producer: John Hughes
Screenwriter: Valentine Davies, George Seaton, John Hughes
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Hughes Entertainment, 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG (Some Mild Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.2M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS

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