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

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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

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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April M

I loved this movie when I was a kid and loved it even more when I watched it with my own kids. Some people don't believe in Santa so if your kids are at that age this is a great movie to watch with them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

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F M

Long boring movie with disjointed plot lines. Stick to the original Miracle on 34th Street.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

Full Review

Dee M

Great cast. Too bad the producers chose to change much of the spirit of the movie. The rival love interests, much of Santa's special talents left out. Leaving out the Post Office delivering the letters was just stupid. The costuming putting hats and double breasted suits on the men which hadn't been worn widely since the 50s was just confusing! The cars were 1990s. I know it was a fantasy.....but it could have been more like the original. In God we Trust.....just don't change it all.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

Full Review

Hlgrm d

The first hour was great thanks to Mara Wilson, then it gets boring and turns into a long, boring, pointless trial. Wish they had a fun happy closing scene for the bland, abrupt ending.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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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

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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: 20th Century Fox, Hughes Entertainment
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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