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A Christmas Story

  • 1983
  • PG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
175K
YOUR RATING
Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Darren McGavin in A Christmas Story (1983)
Official Clip: It's a Major Award!
Play trailer0:54
11 Videos
99+ Photos
Holiday ComedyHoliday FamilyComedyFamilyHoliday

In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

  • Director
    • Bob Clark
  • Writers
    • Jean Shepherd
    • Leigh Brown
    • Bob Clark
  • Stars
    • Peter Billingsley
    • Melinda Dillon
    • Darren McGavin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    175K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd
      • Leigh Brown
      • Bob Clark
    • Stars
      • Peter Billingsley
      • Melinda Dillon
      • Darren McGavin
    • 634User reviews
    • 103Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos11

    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 0:54
    A Christmas Story
    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 1:22
    A Christmas Story
    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 1:22
    A Christmas Story
    Top-Rated Holiday Movies to Watch
    Clip 2:01
    Top-Rated Holiday Movies to Watch
    'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    Clip 1:23
    'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Clip 2:37
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    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

    Photos241

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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Peter Billingsley
    Peter Billingsley
    • Ralphie Parker
    Melinda Dillon
    Melinda Dillon
    • Mother Parker
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • The Old Man Parker
    Scott Schwartz
    Scott Schwartz
    • Flick
    Jean Shepherd
    • Ralphie as an Adult
    • (voice)
    Ian Petrella
    Ian Petrella
    • Randy Parker
    Tedde Moore
    • Miss Shields
    RD Robb
    RD Robb
    • Schwartz
    • (as R.D. Robb)
    Zack Ward
    Zack Ward
    • Scut Farkus
    Yano Anaya
    • Grover Dill
    Jeff Gillen
    • Santa Claus
    Colin Fox
    Colin Fox
    • Ming the Merciless
    • (scenes deleted)
    Paul Hubbard
    Paul Hubbard
    • Flash Gordon
    • (scenes deleted)
    Leslie Carlson
    Leslie Carlson
    • Christmas Tree Man
    • (as Les Carlson)
    Jim Hunter
    • Freight Man
    Patty Johnson
    • Head Elf
    Drew Hocevar
    • Male Elf
    David Svoboda
    • Kid with Goggles
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd
      • Leigh Brown
      • Bob Clark
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews634

    7.9175.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10preppy-3

    Just wonderful

    Nostalgic tale of a Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) growing up in the 1940s (I believe). He wants nothing more than a Red Ryder Ranger Model Air Rifle (a BB gun for short) for Christmas but everyone tells him it will "shoot your eye out".

    That's about it for plot but the film has sequences that every child (and adult) can relate to. My favorites: Ralphie's best friend getting his tongue stuck to a pole when he's dared to lick it; Ralphie accidentally swearing in front of his father; the bully that threatens Ralphie and his friends every day until Ralphie beats him up (in a GREAT scene); Ralphie's constant fights with his little brother (wonderfully played by Ian Petrella) and Billingsley and his brother being terrified by a department store Santa.

    Also Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin are just great as the parents-- especially Dillon. She has one uproarious scene where she gets Petrella to eat by imitating a pig! This was totally ignored when it came out in 1983 but has slowly developed a cult following. It's now considered one of the best Christmas movies ever made--right up there with "It's a Wonderful Life" (which was also ignored at its release).

    A charming, wonderful Christmas film. A 10 all the way!
    10Smells_Like_Cheese

    A timeless movie that will never get old

    A Christmas Story, there is absolutely no way that anyone could ever say they never saw this film since it's shown every Christmas, especially on TNT when they do the 24 hours of A Christmas Story, lol. But onto the movie, I've watched A Christmas Story since the day I was born, it's one of those films you never get sick of because of the simple fact that each year of your life you could relate to it in some way. Each character has these memorable moments and you could say that you've been in the same situation. It's great seeing this movie because it makes us laugh about the silliest moments in our life during the Christmas season.

    Ralphie is a little boy who just so badly wants a B.B. gun for Christmas, it's just his dream. Only one problem, it'll shoot his eye out according to the adults around him. We go through Christmas with Ralphie and his family, his father who is obsessed with a prize leg lamp he won. His mother who is greatly under-appreciated but extremely loving. His brother, Randy, who is your typical silly and annoying younger brother who makes fun of him. And his friends who are on a constant run from the school bully. But all Ralphie can think about during this hard time in his adolescence is that B.B. gun.

    A Christmas Story has constant unforgettable scenes, like the pink bunny out fit that Ralphie gets as a present from his aunt, him saying his first swear in front of his dad, Mom and Dad's fight over using the glue on purpose, visiting Santa at the mall, and of course that great ending that is sure to bring a that is sure to bring a tear to your eye. It's just the perfect Christmas movie that is a BIG recommendation for the season. It has great comedy, terrific acting, and just the most touching moments you'll ever see in a Christmas movie.

    10/10
    8Jennydavis131

    Family holiday fun

    A Christmas story is a classic holiday film that is very funny and entertaining. This is a movie that should be viewed by everyone, and can been seen on television during thanksgiving and Christmas time. In most families, this film is already a tradition to watch every year and that's because it has a wonderful plot, great characters and believable actors.

    A Christmas Story is about an average middle class family living in a small town in the 1940's. The film contains an average family of a regular husband and wife relationship and two young boys. The eldest of the boys is named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) who is the star of the film. All that Ralphie wants is to have a perfect Christmas containing the perfect gift, a Red Ryder carbon action BB gun. This is all that Ralphie can think about day and night. When Ralphie has to write a Theme about what he wants for Christmas, his teacher replies to him `you'll shoot your eye out' which seems to be the only reply to him throughout the whole film.

    What makes this film so great is the ability to relate to Ralphie with his problems throughout the movie, such as wanting that one gift that everyone thinks that you're too young to have and are unable to get. The acting is very convincing and makes you think that this could even be you in the movie.

    There are some very hilarious parts in this film that also make it very good. This particular scene also contains some very cheesy acting which also makes it funny. Ralphie has a dream about getting his Red Ryder BB gun and saving his family from a bunch of evil villains. In this scene Ralphie is wearing the white sparkly cowboy suit and he shoots down the evil villains and saves the day with his gun in a very unrealistic way.

    There really wasn't much music that can be commented on in this movie, just that it was the orchestral type of music that was out in the time period of the 40's. The costumes where great and convincing. I also liked how real they made the 40's look. You actually think it might have been made in that time period which makes the film very authentic.

    I would recommend this film to anyone who wants some holiday laughs and some great family time together. I would rate this film a 9 out of ten because it's so memorable.
    9Sober-Friend

    Christmas is Not Complete Without Watching This

    The 1983 "Terms of Endearment" won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Now it was deserved. The film still remains popular today. What's hard to believe now is that "A Christmas Story" (released the same year) was ignored everywhere. If anything it should of been nominated for best adapted screenplay!

    Now when the film was released it was "Critically Acclaimed" but, MGM failed to capitalized on that. The film was poorly handled & failed to capture a large theatrical audience!

    Well thanks to the Home Video Market & television this film has now become part of Americana. It also helped that Ted Turner made "24 Hours Of A Christmas Story" an annual event.

    It is now 2017, and "A Christmas Story" it is now one of the most popular films of all time. Even "Return of the Jedi" ( The Highest Grossing Film of 1983) "Isn't gaining as many new fans". .

    "Return of the Jedi" has always rode the coattails of the earlier "Star Wars" films. "A Christmas Story" has gained fans for just being a great film!

    Now my review Set in the 1940's the film makes you identify with Ralphie and you your routing for him in every single way!

    Ralphie is in elementary school. His has a little brother and all he wants for Christmas is a BB-Gun. He wants this more than anything. Before Christmas gets there he has many obstacles to overcome. One of them is getting home! He & his friends are always being bullied before they can make it home.

    The film is flawless. It is a joy to watch and only improves every time you watch it. It is also true that for some reason the older it gets the better it becomes!

    You need to see this. Also there is a fan made documentary called "A Christmas Story Documentary: Road Trip for Ralphie". That is a great fan made documentary.
    10MovieAddict2016

    Classic Christmas film that doesn't age

    Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas but his mother is totally against it - the "you'll shoot your eye out" discussion being a major opposition.

    This is essentially a story about childhood and is very spot-on in regards to the yearning of children and the whole Christmas era - I've been watching it since I was a child and every Christmas when it comes on TV I watch it again. It's funny, poignant and totally memorable - it has some of the best scenes of all-time and although I know a few people who dislike it because it's a bit "weird" and "dark," most people I know love it.

    Worth watching every Christmas, forever!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Darren McGavin ad-libbed the profane rants while fighting with the furnace. He said he speaks gibberish the entire time because it was almost impossible for him to ad-lib angry words without actual profanity. He did this in order to ensure a PG rating.
    • Goofs
      A kid in a classroom scene has a The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) digital watch.
    • Quotes

      Ralphie as an Adult: [narrating] Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.

    • Crazy credits
      Early home video copies contained the following text immediately after the end credits:

      "THIS TRANSFER IS DEDICATED TO 'POPPY' JOE BLUTH 1984."
    • Alternate versions
      Theatrical and home video versions have the end credits scrolling in red text over a shot of the Parker house. The airings on TBS in the United States have the credits on white over a black background. This also happened on the Cartoon Network airing as well.
    • Connections
      Edited into A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      The Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade)
      Written by Leo Killion, Ted McMichael, and Jack Owens

      Performed by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra

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    FAQ28

    • How long is A Christmas Story?Powered by Alexa
    • Who played Ralphie's classmate Esther Jane?
    • What made Scut Farkus & Grover Dill become bullies? How do their parents' raise them?
    • What is 'A Christmas Story' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 18, 1983 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. DVD site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Una historia de Navidad
    • Filming locations
      • 3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, USA(exterior of Ralphie's house)
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Christmas Tree Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,778,141
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,072,473
      • Nov 20, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,792,689
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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