The suicide theme is a bit tough for sensitive kids to gel with. Suicide is a prevalent problem among children now a days, especially those faced with problems, so I would be careful showing kids any movie now with a suicide theme. Other than that, this is a great classic for the whole family to share that has affirmation and value.
It's a Wonderful Life
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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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 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of It's a Wonderful Life was written by Randy White
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.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- 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.
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on It's a Wonderful Life
What’s the Story?
Frank Capra's bittersweet, heartwarming movie about a man who comes to realize the value of his own life has been a Christmas favorite for years. At the story's center is George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a man with big plans whose even bigger heart keeps him from leaving his hometown. When George wishes he were never born, an angel shows him the tremendous impact he has had on his community.
Is It Any Good?
No matter how often you see this perennial Christmas favorite, you will be entranced. Flawless. Indeed, it has become such a familiar part of the holiday landscape that those who have never seen it might dismiss it as "Capra-corn," sentimental and syrupy. In fact, the movie's vision is that of a dark-edged world in which heroes are necessary. George discovers that his existence has saved his community from the cruelty of robber barons and, more importantly, from its own greed and shortsightedness.
Made just after the war, this movie was a favorite for both leading man Jimmy Stewart and director Frank Capra. And it's easy to see why. There's a delightful song and dance sequence, visually witty moments like the dance floor that converts into a swimming pool during a feverish Charleston competition, and sophisticated dialogue. Stewart gives the performance of a lifetime. Alternately affable and bitter, he is the movie's little-man hero. And if the movie is about broken dreams, it's conclusion is that these broken dreams can turn out to be a blessing.
Movie Details
Our Members Say
See 18 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Sounds good...
I never watched it yet but my dad watched it when he was a kid and he told me that it is a really great classic for the family. And also the title makes it sound good.
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I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
It's a OK.
When I watched it's a Wonderful Life. I got quite interested. This isn't the best movie to watch thought if your looking for a appropriate movie. It is a little iffy but it does show what it was like in the 1900's.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Reassure first-time viewers
We thought our 11-yr-old was ready for it, but he questioned the suicide theme, and the scene where George gets hit and his ear bleeds. He liked it in the end, but was disturbed several times at our choice! As adults, we tend to wrap it in the good feelings from the end of the movie, but a first-time young viewer may need reassurance.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
It's a Wonderful Life
A classic movie the whole family can watch and charish together. 5 stars for sure.
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I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
Cool but what
I liked this movie! For some reason, his bleeding lip bothered me. IDK why.
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A true classic!
We absolutely love this movie in my house. Well, I do! My 9 year old watched it with me all the way through the other night...a little hard for her attention span, but she loved the ending. It has a great message to send to all ages!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
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...
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
I hate black and white movies. Good message though.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
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.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
4 Stars!
An absoulute classic for the entire family!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
4 Stars!
An absoulute classic for the entire family!
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I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
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.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Surely the best Christmas film.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
My favorite Christmas movie...
I watch this every Thanksgiving!!!!! The movie is appropriate for all ages, but eight and up would understand it better.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
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.
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I rate this title on and give it
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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I rate this title on and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 44% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 44% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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