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IMDbPro

A Christmas Story

  • 19831983
  • PGPG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
160K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,882
338
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
ComedyFamily
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.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
160K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,882
338
  • Director
    • Bob Clark
  • Writers
    • Jean Shepherd(based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by)
    • Leigh Brown(screenplay)
    • Bob Clark(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Peter Billingsley
    • Melinda Dillon
    • Darren McGavin
  • Director
    • Bob Clark
  • Writers
    • Jean Shepherd(based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by)
    • Leigh Brown(screenplay)
    • Bob Clark(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Peter Billingsley
    • Melinda Dillon
    • Darren McGavin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 601User reviews
    • 100Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos11

    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 0:54
    Watch A Christmas Story
    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 1:22
    Watch A Christmas Story
    'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    Clip 1:23
    Watch 'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Clip 2:37
    Watch The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Watch Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition: Walk To School
    Clip 1:09
    Watch A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition: Walk To School
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Full Episode 3:11
    Watch What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    Video 2:34
    Watch Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    You Just Watched: 'A Christmas Story'
    Video 4:40
    Watch You Just Watched: 'A Christmas Story'
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Christmas Eve
    Video 2:08
    Watch Dates in Movie & TV History: Christmas Eve
    "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: Peter Billingsley
    Video 2:22
    Watch "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: Peter Billingsley

    Photos191

    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Jeff Gillen in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Melinda Dillon in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Scott Schwartz in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Jeff Gillen in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley at an event for A Christmas Story (1983)
    R.D. Robb at an event for A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley, Bob Clark, R.D. Robb, Scott Schwartz, and Zack Ward at an event for A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Scott Schwartz in A Christmas Story (1983)

    Top cast

    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
    • Randy Parker
    Tedde Moore
    • Miss Shields
    R.D. Robb
    R.D. Robb
    • Schwartz
    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(based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by) (screenplay)
      • Leigh Brown(screenplay)
      • Bob Clark(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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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 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

    User reviews601

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    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.
    helpful•25
    7
    • Sober-Friend
    • Dec 29, 2017

    FAQ13

    • What is 'A Christmas Story' about?
    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • When and where does the story take place?

    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
      • Božićna priča
    • 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
      • $20,791,649
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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

    Related news

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    Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Darren McGavin in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Top Gap
    By what name was A Christmas Story (1983) officially released in Canada in French?
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