It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
96%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 5 Oscars
6 wins & 6 nominations total
The holiday classic to define all holiday classics, It’s a Wonderful Life is one of a handful of films worth an annual viewing.
If you’re looking for a movie that screams “holiday spirit,” then It’s a Wonderful Life is the one for you. This flick is the OG of all holiday classics and is definitely worth watching every year. It’s like a warm hug from your grandma, but in movie form. Trust me, you won’t regret adding this gem to your holiday movie lineup.
Production Company(ies)
Liberty Films,
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
RKO Encino Ranch – Balboa Boulevard & Burbank Boulevard, Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for thematic elements, smoking and some violence
Year of Release
1946
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Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.37 : 1
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Runtime:2h 9m
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Language(s):English, French
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 1946 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 13, 2004
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $6,184,298
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $94,779,189
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,044
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 10,335,789
US/Canada gross: $44,000
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $674,334
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,266
US/Canada opening weekend: $44,000
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $674,334
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,330
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $3,180,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $48,735,979
Production budget ranking: 812
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $26,244,325
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $19,798,884
ROI to date (est.): 26%
ROI ranking: 1,258
James Stewart – George Bailey
Donna Reed – Mary Hatch Bailey
Lionel Barrymore – Mr. Henry F. Potter
Thomas Mitchell – William “Uncle Billy” Bailey
Henry Travers – Clarence Oddbody
Beulah Bondi – Mrs. Bailey
Director(s)
Frank Capra
Writer(s)
Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Philip Van Doren Stern, Jo Swerling
Producer(s)
Frank Capra
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 5 Oscars
6 wins & 6 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (89) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (84) | Rotten (5)
A movie people will have a good time watching with their families for enduring decades.
January 4, 2019 | Rating: A+
Chris Stuckmann
ChrisStuckmann.com
TOP CRITIC
There’s sex and death here, elation and depression, hope and despair.
December 14, 2018 | Rating: 5/5
Karen Krizanovich
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
While it isn’t the best picture to come out of Hollywood this year, nor is it Capra’s masterpiece, it tells a good story and its conclusion has a heart-warming effect on the audience.
December 19, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
Kate Cameron
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
It’s a Wonderful Life is a wonderful title for a motion picture about which practically everyone who sees it will agree that it’s wonderful entertainment.
December 7, 2014
Jack D. Grant
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
The inspirational, thoroughly festive ending is guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes.
December 24, 2013
Marc Lee
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The most well-loved of all Christmas movies.
December 4, 2013 | Rating: 4/4
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Jimmy Stewart’s performance is the reason we keep coming back decade after decade.
December 26, 2021 | Rating: A
Kent Garrison
Mad About Movies Podcast
Capra remained true to classical Hollywood narrative, conceived and directed here, it is true, with almost hallucinatory skill. The scenes of tenderness are capable of penetrating the armor of even the most skeptical critical mind.
December 8, 2021
André Bazin
L’Écran Français
It is watched over and over by many. A Christmas tradition since 1946.
November 28, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Carey-Ann Pawsey
Orca Sound
There are a number of fantastic performances in the film, led by Jimmy Stewart. Stewart captures the many faces and phases of George Bailey…
March 24, 2021
Sarah Brinks
Battleship Pretension
“One of the most influential films in the history of Hollywood was a box office failure, not winning a single one of the five Oscars for which it was nominated”. [Full review in Spanish]
December 31, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Ernesto Diezmartinez
Letras Libres
Forget the Christmas connection: This all-timer can be watched any time of the year.
December 17, 2020 | Rating: 4/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy…
Plot
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George’s modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy loses the business’s $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
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