It's a Wonderful Life

Movie

1946

2h 10m

English

Drama, Family, Fantasy

User Score:

8.5

Critic Score:

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A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the busine...

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It's a Wonderful Life

Movie

1946

2h 10m

English

Drama, Family, Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watch on Hoopla

WATCHMODE

8.5

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

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Available in 4 other countries.

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Cast

George Bailey

Mary Hatch

Mr. Potter

Uncle Billy

Clarence

Mrs. Bailey

Ernie

Bert

Violet

Mr. Gower

Sam Wainwright

Harry Bailey

Pa Bailey

Cousin Tilly

Ruth Dakin

Cousin Eustace

Mrs. Hatch

Mr. Martini

Annie

Mrs. Martini

Little George

Little Sam

Little Mary

Little Violet

Little Marty Hatch

Directed By: Frank Capra

Written By: Frank Capra (Screenplay), Frances Goodrich (Screenplay), + 2 more

Featured Comments/Tips

Matthew Brady-deleted-1534855046 says...

7 years ago

Took me three years to watch this, but each time I fail to get around to it. Now I finally do and feel like I want to cry for hours. A film that's so depressing and yet jolly. Showing how everyone is relevant in the darkness of times. Also, James Stewart is one handsome son of a bitch. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Reverse-Flash2024 says...

8 years ago

It was the most beautiful and emotional movie I have ever seen, I recommend it to everyone. This movie was there when I needed it the most, it shows how much one man can make a difference in the world, no matter what he does, and how we sometimes don't even realize what impact our very own existence can have on other people's lives.

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AndrewBloom says...

8 years ago

8.8/10. An incredible, life-affirming movie that has enough of a dark heart to earn the amazingly heart-warming sequence at the film's climax. Some of the angel stuff gets a little silly at points, but it's still just a stellar look at the advantages and pitfalls of the road not traveled, what doing and being good takes from you, and the invisible but strong connections within a community that form when a noble man takes the world on his shoulders when he has to. Stewart gives the performance of a lifetime, selling the nobility but vulnerability of George Bailey with perfection, the highs and lows and joys and anger and despondency and glee of the character with unparalleled commitment, charm, and pathos. This one's a classic for a reason.

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KurtMoney says...

6 years ago

I've been watching this movie every Christmas for awhile and it wasn't until this time that I realized....that jerk George STILL puts coconut on Mary's ice cream! Even after calling her brainless for saying she didn't like coconut! Hahah, man what a dick move, George. I will say that over the past few years I've taken more and more issue with how George treats Mary. And its not just the coconut fiasco, but how he wasn't happy with her for buying the house and how he treats her when they finally hook up. He's dismissive, then comes back to get his hat and is a jerk and like shakes her and stuff. Still a great movie even if George isn't the perfect saint I thought he was growing up.

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Featured User Reviews

Sólstafir

7/10 one year ago

There is charm in old movies and charisma in old actors. After seeing Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, I wonder why such movies don't get made more often. From expressions to delivery, both James Stewart and Donna Reed are an absolute pleasure to watch.

George Bailey has given up his dreams o More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 20 0

Bronson87

6/10 2 years ago

It took me forever to finally watch this, and now that I have, I don’t get why this is a Christmas classic. Sure, it commences on Christmas, but it could have ended on any other day, and the story would be the same. Anyway, that's more of an aside.
Okay, so, _It's a Wonderful Life_ is really two More

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Peter M

4 years ago

Oh my goodness, I am not going to spend much time describing this gold standard of Christmas movies. If you have seen it, you know what it is. If you haven’t seen it, stop reading this and watch it now. It is funny, tense, sentimental, romantic and downright Capra-esque.

I have liked Jimmy Stew More

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r96sk

4 years ago

Lovely film.

'It’s a Wonderful Life' is enjoyable, hearty and well crafted. It takes longer than I would've predicted to get to 'the event', but it's very much worth seeing the journey that comes before - as we see the arc of James Stewart's George. It all crescendos with an ending tha More

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