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It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a wonderful laugh! It's a wonderful love!

19468.32h 11m

Overview

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.

Directed by Frank Capra
Written by Philip Van Doren Stern, Frank Capra, Albert Hackett
Produced by Frank Capra
Box OfficeBudget: $3.2MRevenue: $9.6M

Top Cast

James Stewart

James Stewart

George Bailey

Donna Reed

Donna Reed

Mary Hatch

Lionel Barrymore

Lionel Barrymore

Mr. Potter

Thomas Mitchell

Thomas Mitchell

Uncle Billy

Henry Travers

Henry Travers

Clarence

Beulah Bondi

Beulah Bondi

Mrs. Bailey

Frank Faylen

Frank Faylen

Ernie

Ward Bond

Ward Bond

Bert

Gloria Grahame

Gloria Grahame

Violet

H.B. Warner

H.B. Warner

Mr. Gower

Themes & Keywords

small townangelsuicide attemptholidaybankgreat depressionfamily business black and whitenervous breakdownold housenewlywedmagic realismtold in flashbackalternative realityguardian angelhigh school dancechristmascandidwhat ifchristmas eveadoringamused

About It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life is a drama, family, fantasy film released in 1946 exploring themes of small town, angel, suicide attempt, holiday, bank, great depression. Directed by Frank Capra, it stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore. 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.

Movies Similar to It's a Wonderful Life

Discover titles like It's a Wonderful Life — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to It's a Wonderful Life

If you enjoyed It's a Wonderful Life, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of It's a Wonderful Life.

A Christmas Carol
29% Match

Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.

The Family Man
22% Match

Jack's lavish, fast-paced lifestyle changes one Christmas night when he stumbles into a grocery store holdup and disarms the gunman. The next morning he wakes up in bed lying next to Kate, his college sweetheart he left in order to pursue his career, and to the horrifying discovery that his former life no longer exists. As he stumbles through this alternate suburban universe, Jack finds himself at a crossroad where he must choose between his high-power career and the woman he loves.

A Christmas Carol
21% Match

Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.

Miracle on 34th Street
20% Match

Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.

A Christmas Carol
19% Match

Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.

FX's A Christmas Carol
18% Match

London, 1843. Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old man, despises the Christmas holiday. Over the course of Christmas Eve night he is visited by three ghosts to show him his past, present and future.

A Guy Named Joe
17% Match

A cocky U.S. Army Air Force pilot stationed in England during World War II falls for a daring female flier. After he's killed on a mission, he's sent back to Earth by a heavenly General with a new assignment.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
17% Match

The Herdman kids are undeniably the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, cheat, bully and overall terrorize their small community. But this Christmas, they're taking over their local church Pageant – and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked little town the true meaning of Christmas.

What if...
17% Match

What if...(2010)

Movie6.9/10

Fifteen years ago, Ben Walker made a decision to leave his college sweetheart and ultimately his faith, in order to pursue a lucrative business opportunity. Now with a high-paying career and a trophy fiancé, he is visited by an angel, who gives him a glimpse into what his life would look like had he followed his calling.

Whale Rider
16% Match

A contemporary story of love, rejection, and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

Brief Encounter
16% Match

Returning home from a shopping trip to a nearby town, bored suburban housewife Laura Jesson is thrown by happenstance into an acquaintance with virtuous doctor Alec Harvey. Their casual friendship soon develops during their weekly visits into something more emotionally fulfilling than either expected, and they must wrestle with the potential havoc their deepening relationship would have on their lives and the lives of those they love.

Love the Coopers
16% Match

When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
16% Match

Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.