It's a Wonderful Life

94%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

95%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

After George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, an angel (Henry Travers) is sent to earth to make George's wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.

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Watch It's a Wonderful Life with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

It's a Wonderful Life

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The holiday classic to define all holiday classics, It's a Wonderful Life is one of a handful of films worth an annual viewing.

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Critics Reviews

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It's a Wonderful Life | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

A movie people will have a good time watching with their families for enduring decades.

Rated: A+

Jan 4, 2019

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It's a Wonderful Life | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Karen Krizanovich

Little White Lies

There's sex and death here, elation and depression, hope and despair.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 14, 2018

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It's a Wonderful Life | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 19, 2016

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It's a Wonderful Life | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Raquel Stecher

The Movie Palace Podcast

"an enduring classic... timeless"

Dec 18, 2023

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It's a Wonderful Life | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

...earned their climactic waterfall of happy tears...

Dec 15, 2023

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It's a Wonderful Life | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

This is movie that gives you a lot of hope and inspires you to get through the darkest of times. Very effective and such a "feel good" movie.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 11, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Stephen Great to see it on the big screen on Christmas Eve! Aside from for the first time that we noticed 2 "connected" characters are named "Ernie" and "Bert" (!) we're not going to add anything - it's all been said before. Enjoy! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/23 Full Review MJ Great oldie but goodie movie. The movie started late as there was a power shortage but all went well throughout the movie! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/23 Full Review Martin It was so great to see this classic in the theater! You can also see details that you dont notice on the small screen. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/23 Full Review Pdp Timeless classic! Always awesome! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/17/23 Full Review Mrs. Wihl Just a wonderful movie in so many different ways! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/17/23 Full Review tyryl2 Holiday masterpiece. If possible to watch it on the big screen at least once it is recommended. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews

It's a Wonderful Life

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Cast & Crew

Frank Capra Director James Stewart George Bailey Donna Reed Mary Hatch Bailey Lionel Barrymore Mr. Henry F. Potter Thomas Mitchell William Bailey Henry Travers Clarence Oddbody

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It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life: Official Clip - Every Time a Bell Rings an Angel Gets His Wings