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Miracle on 34th Street

(1947, Rated NR, Classic, Starring Natalie Wood, Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic holiday movie for the whole family.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, friendship, materialism
updated 11.04.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Tolerance of individual differences.
  • Role models:

    Susan stands up for what she believes in. Santa is fuzzy and warm. Other than a little cynicism on the part of the mother in the beginning, things are rosy all around here.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Kris bops Sawyer on the head for mistreating Albert.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Macy's branding throughout.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Miracle on 34th Street

Parents need to know that this classic holiday tale has little objectionable content. The Macy's brand is a big focus, as is Santa over more religious aspects of the holiday.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why Doris doesn't want Susan to use her imagination?
  • Why do Kris and Fred think it's important?
  • Why is it important that Kris tells people to go to other stores to buy things they didn't have at Macy's?
  • Why doesn't Mr. Sawyer like Kris?
  • Why did Fred have Mr. Mara's son testify in the trial?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    A Holiday Classic!

    MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET is my favorite "Christmas" movie, in the truest sense of the word. My favorite holiday movie is "A WONDERFUL LIFE", but this one tops the list of Santa cheer. There's nothing to be concerned about, outside of a brief scene that shows a hired Santa intoxicated (he's fired). Parents can talk to kids about how seeing isn't believing, but believing is seeing. Highly recommended holiday viewing.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 5.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 1.0

    Holiday fave for the entire family

    I have to watch this every year!!!! The entire family can watch it.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Better version...

    Nice movie, a little too modern for me. Watch the OLD black & white for an even more charming movie, goes right with "a charlie Brown Christmas" & "its a Wonderful Life". Some violent plot line in it as the characters insult each other, otherwise a good watch.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Better for older kids

    A gentle word of warning, if your kids are young you may not want to open the department store Santa can of worms. This makes it clear that Santas are hired help and are not always nice people. Specifically, the Santa in the very beginning of the movie is drunk to the point of passing out. If your kids have a clear grasp of Santa vs. "Santa's helpers" they should be fine. If you are trying to preserve the illusion that your kids visit the real Santa at the mall, give this movie a pass until they're a little older. My 8 and 10 year old kids prefer the newer version, which has even more references to alcohol abuse. The contemporary feel is much more enchanting for them than this older version.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Really Good Kids Movie

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