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IMDbPro

It's a Wonderful Life

  • 19461946
  • PGPG
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
447K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,501
100
James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:00
13 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Family
  • Fantasy
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
447K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,501
100
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Frances Goodrich(screenplay by)
    • Albert Hackett(screenplay by)
    • Frank Capra(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Donna Reed
    • Lionel Barrymore
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Frances Goodrich(screenplay by)
    • Albert Hackett(screenplay by)
    • Frank Capra(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Donna Reed
    • Lionel Barrymore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.1KUser reviews
    • 194Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #21
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos13

    It's a Wonderful Life
    Trailer 1:00
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Holiday Movie or Not?
    Clip 3:12
    Holiday Movie or Not?
    Guillermo del Toro and Neil Gaiman Find Hope in Powerful, Eclectic Films
    Clip 8:43
    Guillermo del Toro and Neil Gaiman Find Hope in Powerful, Eclectic Films
    What to Watch: Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family
    Clip 2:09
    What to Watch: Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 0:37
    It's a Wonderful Life
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 0:46
    It's a Wonderful Life
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 1:07
    It's a Wonderful Life
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 0:55
    It's a Wonderful Life
    What to Watch: "The Expanse" and Expensive Explosions
    Full Episode 3:39
    What to Watch: "The Expanse" and Expensive Explosions
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Full Episode 3:11
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    Video 3:33
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?

    Photos202

    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Thomas Mitchell, Mary Treen, and Charles Williams in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Ernie Adams, Ellen Corby, and Jimmy the Crow in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Henry Travers in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, and Jimmy Hawkins in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Ward Bond, Donna Reed, Gloria Grahame, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, Todd Karns, Thomas Mitchell, Lillian Randolph, H.B. Warner, and Charles Williams in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Karolyn Grimes in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • George Baileyas George Bailey
    Donna Reed
    Donna Reed
    • Mary Hatchas Mary Hatch
    Lionel Barrymore
    Lionel Barrymore
    • Mr. Potteras Mr. Potter
    Thomas Mitchell
    Thomas Mitchell
    • Uncle Billyas Uncle Billy
    Henry Travers
    Henry Travers
    • Clarenceas Clarence
    Beulah Bondi
    Beulah Bondi
    • Mrs. Baileyas Mrs. Bailey
    Frank Faylen
    Frank Faylen
    • Ernieas Ernie
    Ward Bond
    Ward Bond
    • Bertas Bert
    Gloria Grahame
    Gloria Grahame
    • Violet Beckas Violet Beck
    H.B. Warner
    H.B. Warner
    • Mr. Goweras Mr. Gower
    Frank Albertson
    Frank Albertson
    • Sam Wainwrightas Sam Wainwright
    Todd Karns
    Todd Karns
    • Harry Baileyas Harry Bailey
    Samuel S. Hinds
    Samuel S. Hinds
    • Pa Baileyas Pa Bailey
    Mary Treen
    Mary Treen
    • Cousin Tillyas Cousin Tilly
    Virginia Patton
    Virginia Patton
    • Ruth Dakinas Ruth Dakin
    Charles Williams
    • Cousin Eustaceas Cousin Eustace
    Sarah Edwards
    Sarah Edwards
    • Mrs. Hatchas Mrs. Hatch
    • (as Sara Edwards)
    William Edmunds
    • Mr. Martinias Mr. Martini
    • (as Bill Edmunds)
    • Director
      • Frank Capra
    • Writers
      • Frances Goodrich(screenplay by)
      • Albert Hackett(screenplay by)
      • Frank Capra(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone's amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm.
    • Goofs
      At one point George (James Stewart) calls Violet (Gloria Grahame), Gloria.
    • Quotes

      Clarence: Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

    • Crazy credits
      A ringing facsimile of the Liberty Bell (without the crack) forms the backdrop for the studio logo, which is Liberty Films, and the opening credits are in a scrapbook with Christmas decorations. The bell reappears before the end credits, and the end credits have a Christmas card picture as a backdrop.
    • Alternate versions
      The film was colorized three times. The first colorized version of the film was produced by Hal Roach Studios (now Sonar Entertainment), the second by Republic Pictures. A third colorization of the film was produced by Legend Films for Paramount, the film's current copyright holder, in 2007.
    • Connections
      Edited into Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959)
    • Soundtracks
      Buffalo Gal (Won't You Come Out Tonight)
      (uncredited)
      Written by William Cool White

    User reviews1.1K

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    IT'S NOT OFFICIALLY CHRISTMAS SEASON UNTIL I WATCH THIS MOVIE
    I am so glad Frank Capra had a vision to make "It's A Wonderful Life". I'm glad he chose Jimmy Stewart to play George Bailey. There are some little gems in life that help make life pleasant. It is not officially the Christmas season without watching this little gem. The supporting cast is perfectly matched. Donna Reed is wonderful as well as all the characters of the town. This would be a great movie, even if it were not in a Christmas setting. The holiday flavor makes it even more charming and memorable. A angel trying to get his wings is a little far-fetched, but Capra pulls it off. The impact of living a good life cannot be underestimated. What would life be like for your family if you had never been born? Our actions do speak loudly. In an age of 9-11, we need this movie more than ever. The values of "It's A Wonderful Life" still hold true today. Yes, I'll say it, it's a wonderful movie.
    helpful•196
    37
    • brianlion
    • Nov 5, 2002

    FAQ15

    • Assuming Harry followed George to the hill. If George was never born, then why would Harry be sledding on that hill?
    • Why would the board members side with Potter if George refused to take over the Building & Loan?
    • What is "It's a Wonderful Life" about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 7, 1947 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Encino Ranch - Balboa Boulevard & Burbank Boulevard, Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Liberty Films (II)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,180,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $44,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $44,000
      • Dec 20, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,184,298
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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