It's a wonderful laugh! It's a wonderful love!
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
DramaFamilyFantasysmall townangelsuicide attemptholidaychristianitybankgreat depressionfamily business black and whitenervous breakdownold housenewlywed
- Suicide or self-harm
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Three questions people argue about. Answer first, then see how your circle and the community split.
Would It's a Wonderful Life hit harder if it came out today rather than in 1946?
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Is this Frank Capra's best work?
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Answered from what people have written, never made up: a verdict, how much when it's a matter of degree, and the sentences that say so, quoted with their names. Reviews here first, then TMDB's reviews and the title's Wikipedia plot and reception. If nothing settles it, you can put it to the curators.
Character
Earnest, resolved, effortless and meticulous.
- earnestironic
- resolvedopen-ended
- effortlessdemanding
- rawmeticulous
- contemporarynostalgic
Who loves it, who doesn't
58 profiled raters. Loved most by The Prestige Hunters; disliked most by The Provocateurs.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Cast
- James StewartGeorge Bailey
- Donna ReedMary Hatch
- Lionel BarrymoreMr. Potter
- Thomas MitchellUncle Billy
- Henry TraversClarence
- Beulah BondiMrs. Bailey
- Frank FaylenErnie
- Ward BondBert
- Gloria GrahameViolet
- H.B. WarnerMr. Gower
Crew
- Frank CapraDirector
- Frances GoodrichScreenplay
- Albert HackettScreenplay
- Frank CapraScreenplay
- Joseph F. BirocDirector of Photography
- Joseph WalkerDirector of Photography
- Dimitri TiomkinOriginal Music Composer
- William HornbeckEditor
- Frank CapraProducer
Where to watch
| Stream | |
|---|---|
| Free | |
| Rent | |
| Buy |
US availability, powered by JustWatch via TMDB. Each chip opens that service’s search for the title. Other regions on JustWatch
Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
Fried Green Tomatoes 199174% alikeBoth earnest.
Pride & Prejudice 200573% alikeBoth earnest, resolved.
Pinocchio 194071% alikeBoth earnest, resolved.
Scrooge 195170% alikeBoth earnest, resolved.
The Iron Giant 199970% alikeBoth earnest, resolved.
The Sound of Music 196570% alikeBoth earnest, resolved; this one is more classical in form.
Always 198969% alikeBoth earnest, resolved.
The Muppet Christmas Carol 199269% alikeBoth resolved.
Sense and Sensibility 200867% alikeSeries · Both earnest, resolved.
Anne with an E 201766% alikeSeries · Both earnest, resolved.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.
