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It's a Wonderful Life

(1946, Rated NR, Classic, Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    This classic delivers warmth all year long.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, friendship, loss
updated 11.10.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The movie conveys an important message about the value of an individual life and how one person's actions affect all those around him. It's 1946, and George's younger brother chases their black maid, trying to grab her butt. While she is treated warmly by the family, it is clear she is a servant and a subordinate.
  • Role models:

    An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman, George Bailey, by showing what life would had been like if he never existed. It's a classic for good reason.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Gunshots. A short fist fight. For a brief moment, George knocks over the furniture and loses his temper. It's a tough scene when George is slapped by Mr. Bower.
  • Sex:

    A naked woman in a shrubbery. Nothing is seen and it's very funny.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About It's a Wonderful Life

Parents need to know that this classic is both sweet and knowing. Teens will love it as an engaging story that takes on the human condition in all its complexity. It features a witty screenplay and a grand old score. See it in its original, glorious black and white. Younger kids may be drawn in by George as a youth.

Read our full review by Randy White

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's more disturbing aspects. For instance, George contemplates suicide because he thinks he failed in his life.
  • Families may want to talk about how each family member enhances each person's life and discuss how to show that every day.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 2.0

    sorry everyone, but this movie is a peice of crap

    At first I liked it, but then I watched it again and I was like wow... and you do know it was a flunk at the boxoffice when it was first released. I'm vastly starting to agree with you, peoples...

  2. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I hate black and white movies. Good message though.

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Alaska
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Best Movie Ever!

    This is my all-time favorite movie. There is nothing inappropriate for kids, but youngsters will probably be bored. My mom forced me to watch this when I was a kid, but I didn't really start to enjoy it until around 16. Only now that I'm married and have my own children do I fully appreciate this excellent film. And it's not just for Christmas, I can watch it year-round.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    4 Stars!

    An absoulute classic for the entire family!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    4 Stars!

    An absoulute classic for the entire family!

  6. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    Kids don't appreciate it!

    While there is no objectionable content for kids, my husband and I feel you can't really appreciate this movie until you're a young adult - college age at least. We recently saw it in a vintage theater (fantastic venue for this) with a 9- and 15-year-old and they were both BORED! I would rather have my own kids see it for the first time when they can truly understand and value its message.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    Surely the best Christmas film.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    My favorite Christmas movie...

    I watch this every Thanksgiving!!!!! The movie is appropriate for all ages, but eight and up would understand it better.

  9. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    One of the best holiday movies ever!

    IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is, and always will be, one of the best holiday movies. The strong message of being thankful and living life to the fullest never ceases to inspire. You're always rooting for George Banks to see how precious his life really is. As the film opens, you hear a voice in the stars (supposedly God) speaking to another star named Clarence. He tells Clarence that he must go down to Earth to save George, who is about to take God's most precious gift (life). We then see the events of George's life played out, up to the point where Clarence, his charming guardian angel, must show him how great his life really is. And the only way to do this...show him what life would be like if he never were born. The overall theme of suicide is tense but not scary. There is no violence or language. Sex is very minor, with no sex, but when George and his soon-to-be wife are playing, she runs and her robe gets snagged in a bush. She then hides in the bush (we hear her voice) and is presumably nude (but we don't see anything at all). It's a great movie. Watch it if you can.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 1.0

  12. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A must see classic!

    I love this movie! it's wholesome, great for anyone of any age, great heart-warming messege. I watch it multiple times around Christmas!!

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