A Christmas Story Poster
MOVIEmeter
Top 5000
Down 408 this week

A Christmas Story (1983)

PG  94 min  -  Comedy | Drama | Family   -  18 November 1983 (USA)
8.0
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 8.0/10 from 62,344 users   Metascore: 77/100 
Reviews: 399 user | 78 critic | 8 from Metacritic.com

Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940's.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

Jean Shepherd (based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by), Jean Shepherd (screenplay), and 2 more credits »
Watch Trailer
 Loading Watchlist 

Watch now

Buy it from Amazon »
See IMDb's coverage of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival

Related Lists

image of title
a list of 250 titles by whitethomas61 created 10 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 346 titles by mehransolou created 6 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 2,170 titles by Dr-Faustus created 8 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 76 titles by kingb51375 created 2 weeks ago
 
image of title
a list of 8 titles by happiestgrlievrnu created 2 weeks ago
 

Connect with IMDb


Download the free IMDb App
2 wins & 11 nominations See more awards »
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melinda Dillon ...
Mother
Darren McGavin ...
Scott Schwartz Scott Schwartz ...
Jean Shepherd Jean Shepherd ...
Ian Petrella Ian Petrella ...
Tedde Moore ...
R.D. Robb R.D. Robb ...
Zack Ward ...
Yano Anaya Yano Anaya ...
Jeff Gillen Jeff Gillen ...
Peter Billingsley ...
Colin Fox Colin Fox ...
Ming the Merciless (scenes deleted)
Paul Hubbard ...
Flash Gordon (scenes deleted)
Leslie Carlson Leslie Carlson ...
Christmas Tree Man (as Les Carlson)
Jim Hunter Jim Hunter ...
Freight Man
Edit

Storyline

Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. But along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good 'ol Santa Claus himself. Written by Angela Anuszewski <axa143@psu.edu>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | BB Gun | School | 1940s | Department Store  | See more »

Taglines:

Peace. Harmony. Comfort and Joy... Maybe Next Year. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Uma História de Natal See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$CAD4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,072,473 (USA) (20 November 1983) (886 Screens)

Gross:

$19,294,144 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | USA: (20th Anniversary)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the filming in downtown Cleveland, the antique automobile club members, whose cars were used, were given a route to follow on Public Square. They were instructed to continue circling the square until otherwise instructed. Road salt was a major concern for the car owners and the cars were pressure-washed after each day's filming and parked underground beneath the Terminal Tower. See more »

Goofs

Anachronisms: When Scut is laughing at Ralphie, there is a close up showing the braces on his teeth. The braces are the type that attach to the front of the tooth with adhesive, which were not invented until many years later. Braces at that time would have been the type with a metal band going around the tooth. See more »

Quotes

Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Oh, life is like that. Sometimes, at the height of our revelries, when our joy is at it's zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters decend upon us.
See more »

Crazy Credits

"Ming the Merciless" and "Flash Gordon" are listed as characters despite being cut from the general release. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Clarkworld (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

"On the Trail"
from Grand Canyon Suite
Composed by Ferde Grofé Sr. See more »