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DramaFamilyFantasy Editor's Pick

It's a Wonderful Life Review (1946) — 86% Celluloid Score

Directed by Frank Capra · 1946 ·

Answer Summary: Is It's a Wonderful Life worth watching?

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) earns a 86% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

Quick Verdict: What is the Celluloid Score for It's a Wonderful Life?

Averaged from five public sources (critic, audience, Metascore, Letterboxd, IMDb). See how we calculate scores.

86%
Celluloid Score Recommended

Five-source breakdown

88% Critic Score
90% Audience
82 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.1
8.6 IMDb /10
Runtime
2h 11m
Cast
James Stewart , Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell , Henry Travers , Beulah Bondi , Frank Faylen , Ward Bond , Gloria Grahame , H.B. Warner

Where to watch in Indonesia

Not yet streaming in Indonesia — check local listings.

Why this score?

  • Majority of critics rated it fresh (88%).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (90%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (82/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.1/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.6/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, family, fantasy pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Is It's a Wonderful Life worth watching?

    Yes — It's a Wonderful Life earns a 86% Celluloid Score. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.

    Critics Consensus

    IMDb Top 250 #21 (8.6/10) — It's a Wonderful Life remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

    Celluloid Critics Consensus

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is It's a Wonderful Life about?

    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.

    Critic Reviews

    critic It's a Wonderful Life

    It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Review

    Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) remains a defining Drama landmark from United States, with scores that still shape how audiences discover the title.

    Strongly recommended — holds up for new and returning viewers.

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