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A Christmas Story

  • 19831983
  • PGPG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
160K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,696
814
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
4,696
814
  • 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
    8/10
    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.
    helpful•47
    24
    • Jennydavis131
    • Jan 9, 2004

    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

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    Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Darren McGavin in A Christmas Story (1983)
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