It's a Wonderful Life

Name: It's a Wonderful Life
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Family
Released: January 7, 1947
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Donna Reed, James Stewart

1947

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 194 Ratings

See All

8.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.5	Your Score
8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 194 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

It's A Wonderful Life

Now Playing: It's A Wonderful Life

Movie Details & Credits

RKO Radio Pictures | Release Date: January 7, 1947 | Approved

Starring: Donna Reed, James Stewart

Summary: An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Director: Frank Capra

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Family

Rating: Approved

Runtime: 130 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Marjorie Baumgarten

This sentimental perennial is a holiday chestnut. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

It's one of those ageless movies, like "Casablanca" or "The Third Man," that improves with age. Some movies, even good ones, should only be seen once. When we know how they turn out, they've surrendered their mystery and appeal. Other movies can be viewed an indefinite number of times. Like great music, they improve with familiarity. It's a Wonderful Life falls in the second category. Read full review

100

Rich Cohen

I don’t care what your parents told you. It’s a Wonderful Life, that reassuring holiday spectacle, is really the most terrifying Hollywood film ever made. It’s one of a handful of masterpieces directed by Frank Capra, an Italian immigrant who loved America because America saved him. Read full review

100

Empire Ian Freer

Although peppered with colourful, sharply drawn characters, this is Stewart's movie, instantly loveable as a small town dreamer who sacrifices everything for others. His journey to despair and back warms the cockles like little else. Enjoy it in a cinema so you can sob among others. Read full review

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

The film is gripping enough simply with the telling of George's lifestory. A genuine American classic. Read full review

Bert Briller

Frank Capra and James Stewart, in returning to films after long years in uniform, endow the pic with its most telling contributions. Herewith, Stewart touches the thespic peak of his career. He hasn’t lost a whit of his erstwhile boyish personality (when called to turn it on) and further shows a maturity and depth he seems recently to have acquired. Read full review

Manny Farber

Capra is an old-time movie craftsman, the master of every trick in the bag, and in many ways he is more at home with the medium than any other Hollywood director. But all of his details give the impression of contrived effect...To make his points he always takes an easy, simple-minded path that doesn’t give much credit to the intelligence of the audience. Read full review

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

MikeWazowski2

Apr 3, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the best Christmas movies of all time and is simply one of the best films ever made, although it was a commercial flop back when it came out. Frank Capra is truly a master of the craft. There is also great acting from Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. This is my personal favorite movie of all time and it might very well be yours too. Deserves a 100 on my book.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

thelol

Aug 17, 2017

This is one of the best films of all time, without a doubt. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not be touched, if you can, you have no heart!

James Stewart is one of my favourite actors, and in this film he acts so naturally you even forget he's an actor playing a part, you reallyThis is one of the best films of all time, without a doubt. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not be touched, if you can, you have no heart!

James Stewart is one of my favourite actors, and in this film he acts so naturally you even forget he's an actor playing a part, you really believe his story. You're pulled on a roller coaster of emotions throughout this film, and by no means is this a light hearted look at life, as many believe. This is not a rose tinted look at the wonderful life we have, this is a dark, downtrodden start to a film where the lead character is about to commit suicide.

However, it is a beautiful film, and is one of the few that you can watch again and again and walk away with the same glowing feeling as you did when you first watched it.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

marcmyworks

Dec 21, 2020

Probably the most celebrated and greatest Christmas film of all time. Try watching this movie and not crying. I can tell you it's a hard thing to do.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MattBrady99

Dec 25, 2017

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 **** MerryTook 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 ****

Merry Christmas everyone!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Dostoyevsky3

May 5, 2020

The most wonderful film of all time. It's a Wonderful Life showcases outstanding cinematography, important themes, and beautiful messages in a love story which is done justice through a superbly acted film portrayed through heart and humor that mark it as the clear definition of a holiday classic.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ahmedaiman1999

Dec 27, 2018

Holy Mackerel!

With its timeless inspirational message, groundbreaking techniques, unequalled storytelling, extremely clever and subtle use of imagery, unbelievably fluid shifting between contradictory continuously-changing tones, outstanding performances from the entire cast, and joyfulHoly Mackerel!

With its timeless inspirational message, groundbreaking techniques, unequalled storytelling, extremely clever and subtle use of imagery, unbelievably fluid shifting between contradictory continuously-changing tones, outstanding performances from the entire cast, and joyful and optimistic spirit, this "Wonderful" piece of cinema will always be the most charming, valuable and daring kid-friendly Christmas film ever!

I'm sooooooooooo glad I finally watched this classic at the perfect time.
Merry Christmas, Y'all!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

clem666

Nov 10, 2020

We directly surpass the old style of the movie to get into the story it tells. We start our journey by analyzing the biggest moments of the character's childhood and adolescence. Identification with him is effortless and satisfying. We then arrive to his adult life and see its ups andWe directly surpass the old style of the movie to get into the story it tells. We start our journey by analyzing the biggest moments of the character's childhood and adolescence. Identification with him is effortless and satisfying. We then arrive to his adult life and see its ups and downs. The main plot takes a lot of time to germinate. Some parts of the movie are quite long and seem superficial but (no spoiler) the end is definitively worth it.
I found the guardian angel (who is the character that makes the plot go forward) kind of selfish (because he only accomplishes his mission) and dull.
Acting, and especially James Stewart, is awesome. Each characters has his own face and mood.
The main flaw I have to address to this movie is that it is way too much american. Starting from the fact that it clearly is a Christmas movie in which everyone love each other, it compiles the standards of the perfect american life (taking back the job of your father, going to college, meeting the most beautiful girl in here and dance all night, going to university, getting rich and married and having a lovely family with a lot of children).
In the end this movie isn't unpleasant and the morality is really cool.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS