Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Miracle on 34th Street

  • 1947
  • Approved
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
58K
YOUR RATING
Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn, and John Payne in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:02
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Holiday ComedyHoliday FamilyComedyDramaFamilyFantasyHoliday

After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends h... Read allAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.

  • Director
    • George Seaton
  • Writers
    • George Seaton
    • Valentine Davies
  • Stars
    • Edmund Gwenn
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • John Payne
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    58K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Seaton
    • Writers
      • George Seaton
      • Valentine Davies
    • Stars
      • Edmund Gwenn
      • Maureen O'Hara
      • John Payne
    • 234User reviews
    • 107Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 10 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos4

    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Trailer 2:02
    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Miracle On 34th Street: Fire Engine
    Clip 1:38
    Miracle On 34th Street: Fire Engine
    Miracle On 34th Street: Fire Engine
    Clip 1:38
    Miracle On 34th Street: Fire Engine
    Miracle On 34th Street: Susan Meets Santa
    Clip 0:43
    Miracle On 34th Street: Susan Meets Santa
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    Video 2:34
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?

    Photos153

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 146
    View Poster

    Top cast68

    Edit
    Edmund Gwenn
    Edmund Gwenn
    • Kris Kringle
    Maureen O'Hara
    Maureen O'Hara
    • Doris Walker
    John Payne
    John Payne
    • Fred Gailey
    Gene Lockhart
    Gene Lockhart
    • Judge Henry X. Harper
    Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood
    • Susan Walker
    Porter Hall
    Porter Hall
    • Granville Sawyer
    William Frawley
    William Frawley
    • Charlie Halloran
    Jerome Cowan
    Jerome Cowan
    • Dist. Atty. Thomas Mara
    Philip Tonge
    Philip Tonge
    • Julian Shellhammer
    Jack Albertson
    Jack Albertson
    • Post Office Mail Sorter Next to Lou
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Antrim
    Harry Antrim
    • Mr. R.H. Macy
    • (uncredited)
    Arline Bletcher
    • Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Lela Bliss
    Lela Bliss
    • Mrs. Shellhammer
    • (uncredited)
    Symona Boniface
    Symona Boniface
    • Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Walden Boyle
    • Judge's Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    Kevin Burke
    • Child on Santa's Lap
    • (uncredited)
    Dorothy Christy
    Dorothy Christy
    • Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Cogan
    Dick Cogan
    • Department Store Head
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Seaton
    • Writers
      • George Seaton
      • Valentine Davies
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the untranslated dialogue with the Dutch girl, Kris asks her what she wants for Christmas. She says she wants nothing, telling him she got her gift by being adopted by her new mother.
    • Goofs
      Kris claims that John Quincy Adams' Vice-President was Daniel D. Tompkins; actually, it was John C. Calhoun. Tompkins served under James Monroe from 1817-1825. The confusion likely occurred because Adams was the 6th President, whereas Tompkins was the 6th Vice-President, as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison had three Vice-Presidents between them.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Shellhammer: But... but maybe he's only a little crazy like painters or composers or... or some of those men in Washington.

    • Crazy credits
      The film's credits do not contain the standard "All characters and events are fictional..." disclaimer, leaving many people to believe that this was a true story.
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in two computer colorized versions. The film was first colorized in 1985 by Color Systems Technology, Inc. and again in 2006 by Legend Films using much-improved technology. Prints came with a disclaimer: "It has been altered without the participation of the principal director, screenwriter and other creators of the original film."
    • Connections
      Featured in The Screen Writer (1950)
    • Soundtracks
      Jingle Bells
      (1857) (uncredited)

      Written by James Pierpont

      Played at the announcement of the parade

      Played occasionally in the score

      Sung a cappella a bit by Percy Helton and later by Jack Albertson

    User reviews234

    Featured review
    9/10

    The Classic Is a Classic For a Reason

    REVIEW DATE 2/19/2018

    PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. I HAVE OVER 400 REVIEWS OF "CHRISTMAS RELATED FILMS & SPECIALS" WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

    Now Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB? When one of my reviews gets deleted IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to this review.

    Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is indignant to find that the man (Percy Helton) assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is intoxicated. When he complains to event director Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), she persuades Kris to take his place. He does so well, he is hired to play Santa at Macy's flagship New York City store on 34th Street.

    Ignoring instructions to steer parents to buy from Macy's, Kris directs one shopper (Thelma Ritter) to a competitor. Impressed, she tells Julian Shellhammer (Philip Tonge), head of the toy department, that she will become a loyal customer.

    Attorney Fred Gailey (John Payne), Doris's neighbor, takes the young divorcée's daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) to see Santa. Doris has raised her to not believe in fairy tales, but Susan is shaken after seeing Kris speak Dutch with a girl who does not know English. Doris asks Kringle to tell Susan that he is not Santa, but he insists that he is.

    Worried, Doris decides to fire him. However, Kris has generated so much positive publicity and goodwill for Macy's that Macy (Harry Antrim) promises Doris and Julian bonuses. To alleviate Doris's misgivings, Julian has Granville Sawyer (Porter Hall) administer a "psychological evaluation". Kris passes, and questions Sawyer's own mental health.

    This is a great film that everyone should see.
    • Christmas-Reviewer
    • Feb 19, 2018
    • Permalink

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ27

    • How long is Miracle on 34th Street?Powered by Alexa
    • Why is the clown at the Macy's parade not listed anywhere in the cast list? He has the memorable line: "These pants are going to fall off in the middle of Columbus Circle."
    • What is 'Miracle on 34th Street' about?
    • Is 'Miracle on 34th Street' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 4, 1947 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Dutch
    • Also known as
      • De ilusión también se vive
    • Filming locations
      • 24 Derby Road, Port Washington, Long Island, New York, USA(Susan's dream house)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,851
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn, and John Payne in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Top Gap
    What is the Hindi language plot outline for Miracle on 34th Street (1947)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.