A Christmas Story

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A Christmas Story

PG

1983

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

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Critics Consensus

Both warmly nostalgic and darkly humorous, A Christmas Story deserves its status as a holiday perennial.

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David Elliott

USA Today

Dec 14, 2025

A Christmas Story is numbly predictable.

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Ernest Leogrande

New York Daily News

May 13, 2023

1/4

It's all in A Christmas Story, but it's as real as wax fruit.

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Leo Seligsohn

Newsday

May 12, 2023

2.5/4

The film does its commercial best to dole out the requisite nostalgia without being too sticky. The result is a pleasant, undistinguished Christmas pudding spiced with humor and enriched by some good performances from the kids.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

5/5

Bob Clark’s little Christmas movie “A Christmas Story” has vaulted into full Christmas Classic status.

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David Gonzalez

The Cinematic Reel

Feb 14, 2022

4/4

For old timers like myself, the final scene of Ralphie sleeping with his Christmas prize will always hold true to me and brings back yearly memories of one of the easiest times of anyones life, their childhood.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 4, 2021

3.5/4

An uproarious adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.

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Dylan Wing

Feb 26, 2026

I had to culture myself. I had never seen the film before--So I went with my best friends who love the classics. 🎄 We had a blast. It's jokes are timeless. I laughed so much. It's absolutely ABSURD in the best way! 😅

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Donald H

Dec 20, 2025

one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time

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Rob

Dec 20, 2025

Either you love this movie or hate it, well worth the money to see it on the big screen

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Edith P

Dec 11, 2025

Had not seen it from beginning to end in a long time. Still very funny.

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Tanya A

Dec 11, 2025

It is a time piece with a sweet ending and has some Funny and poignant moments but isnt a fave for me

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Carl

Dec 11, 2025

Nothing really like seeing a really good christmas classic in the movie theater

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Bob Clark

Director

Peter Billingsley

Ralph 'Ralphie' Parker

Darren McGavin

Mr. Parker

Melinda Dillon

Mrs. Parker

Ian Petrella

Randy Parker

Scotty Schwartz

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A Christmas Story: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

Director: Bob Clark
Producer: Bob Clark, René Dupont
Screenwriter: Leigh Brown, Bob Clark, Jean Shepherd, Jean Shepherd
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Christmas Tree Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1983, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.7M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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